Chemists and Materials Scientists

Occupation

$86,620
National Median Salary
$41.64
Median Hourly Wage
91,580
Total Employment

Salary Distribution

$54,160
$64,880
$86,620
$123,170
$156,530

10th percentile → 25th → Median → 75th → 90th percentile

Salary Trend (2014-2024)

+15.9%
10 Year Change
$74,720
2014 Median
$86,620
2024 Median
Best Paying Industries Industry Wage Growth Where This Career Pays Above Average

Note: State and industry pay breakdowns are available for more specific job titles. See detailed occupations below.

Top Paying Industries for Chemists and Materials Scientists

Industry Annual Median Employment
Oil and Gas Extraction $171,740 70
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) $134,430 5,260
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities $125,690 —
Support Activities for Mining $123,120 —
Nuclear Electric Power Generation $122,650 260

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Detailed Chemists and Materials Scientists Occupations

These specific job titles have more detailed state and industry salary data:

Occupation Annual Median
Chemists $84,150
Materials Scientists $104,160

Related Occupations

Physicists Astronomers and Physicists Political Scientists Astronomers Miscellaneous Physical Scientists

Explore Chemists and Materials Scientists by Industry

See how this career performs in specific industries

Oil and Gas Extraction Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Support Activities for Mining Nuclear Electric Power Generation Textile Mills Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Utilities Management of Companies and Enterprises Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers