Materials Scientists

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics In demand
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.

What a materials scientist does

Become a materials scientist

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good materials scientist

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Reading work related information.
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $58 per hour with an average salary of $120,700 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $44 and $66 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $92,400 and $136,500 per year.

Materials Scientist job outlook

  • There are 422 workers in this occupation in Washington.
  • There are 70 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Programs to get you there

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