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Occupation · SOC 19-2032

Materials Scientists

There are 8,470 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $117,790 a year. The most jobs are in Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
8,470
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$117,790
Median pay a year
Middle half: $89,990–$150,550
600
Annual openings
10-year change: +8.3%
793
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+29.2% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 37 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $132,600 · LCA filings 33700$132,60033
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $120,650 · LCA filings 67560$120,65067
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $133,340 · LCA filings 50460$133,34050
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $231,710 · LCA filings 36380$231,71036
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $132,160 · LCA filings 4270$132,1604
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $93,240 · LCA filings 18240$93,24018
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $106,720 · LCA filings 17240$106,72017
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $107,500 · LCA filings 0200$107,5000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $149,980 · LCA filings 15200$149,98015
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $127,470 · LCA filings 26180$127,47026

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 31$231,92018031
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 380 · LCA filings 36$231,71038036
Worcester, MAEmployment 80 · LCA filings 6$151,070806
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 6$150,550906
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 15$149,98020015

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 16 · Employment 5606716560
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 90601590
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 10 · Employment 4605010460
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 20 · Employment 3803620380
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 27 · Employment 7003327700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $113,838 · Level III $132,704 · Level IV $151,570$94,973$113,838$132,704$151,570
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $102,378 · Level III $123,510 · Level IV $144,664$81,224$102,378$123,510$144,664
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $116,771 · Level III $140,109 · Level IV $163,467$93,413$116,771$140,109$163,467
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $186,243 · Level III $225,576 · Level IV $264,888$146,931$186,243$225,576$264,888
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $108,680 · Level III $124,696 · Level IV $140,712$92,664$108,680$124,696$140,712
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $81,453 · Level III $98,093 · Level IV $114,754$64,792$81,453$98,093$114,754
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $99,549 · Level III $118,664 · Level IV $137,779$80,434$99,549$118,664$137,779
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $79,997 · Level III $104,770 · Level IV $129,563$55,203$79,997$104,770$129,563
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $129,563 · Level III $154,606 · Level IV $179,629$104,541$129,563$154,606$179,629
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $105,040 · Level III $126,922 · Level IV $148,782$83,179$105,040$126,922$148,782
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $72,800 · Level III $88,192 · Level IV $103,605$57,387$72,800$88,192$103,605

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Materials SciencesCIP 40.10STEM OPT · up to 36 months248STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Materials EngineeringCIP 14.18STEM OPT · up to 36 months938STEM OPT · up to 36 months
ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Materials Scientists in every metro area

All 37 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology