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Career overview · SOC 19-2032

Materials Scientists

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.

Also called: Applications Scientist · Materials Research Engineer · Materials Scientist · Metallurgical Engineer · Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist) · Polymer Materials Consultant

Median pay (national)
$104,160
$61,460–$168,500 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
8,330
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.9%
~600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for materials scientists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $168,500 versus $61,460 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $104,160 leaves roughly 62% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 30 states with released data, New Hampshire pays the most for this role (median $136,300, +31% vs the national median), while Montana sits lowest at $56,750 — a 140% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Science as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Python as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
  • Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
  • Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
  • Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
  • Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
  • Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
  • Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
  • Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
  • Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
  • Perform experiments and computer modeling to study the nature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Python
  • R
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Accelrys Materials Studio
  • Advanced Chemistry Development Analytical Laboratory
  • ANSYS LS-DYNA
  • ANSYS Multiphysics
  • Bruker AXS EVA
  • Bruker AXS LEPTOS
  • Bruker AXS TOPAS
  • Chempute Software HSC Chemistry

Knowledge areas

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Production and Processing
  • Design
  • Mechanical