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Also called analytical scientist, applications scientist, mems device scientist and metal alloy scientist.
$117,790
Median pay a year
8,470
People do this work
6
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Pay and headcount are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lines are written from what the US Department of Labor records about this work.
An example
A Materials Scientist resume, filled in
Every line below comes from the same public record as the rest of this page. The greyed parts are the ones only you can answer.
Materials Scientist
Summary
Materials scientist researching and studying the structures and properties of metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics to develop new materials and enhance existing ones for various applications
Experience
Materials Scientist
Where you worked
Month Year to Month Year
Conducted research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics
Tested metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, ductility, and resistance to various conditions
Prepared reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors
Planned laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes used in the production of materials with special characteristics
Recommended materials for reliable performance in various environments based on research findings
Performed experiments and computer modeling to study the physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys
Conferred with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs
Skills
Core Skills
Testing material and finished quality, Conducting research, Collecting surveys, Monitoring operational procedures, Devising research protocols, Developing physical theories, Developing new products, Preparing scientific reports, Writing articles, Designing research studies
Tools and software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Python, R
Education
Bachelor's Degree Your college, Year
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Conducted research on material structures and propertiesTested metals for mechanical strength and propertiesDetermined causes of metal failures under stressDeveloped new materials with specific propertiesPrepared reports and technical manuals for stakeholdersPlanned laboratory experiments for material production
becomes
On your resume
Conducted research on material structures and properties, focusing on the mechanical strength of metals
Conducted research on metal properties and structures to identify causes of failures under stress
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Add what new insights or products came from your research
The line
Conducted research on material structures and properties, leading to improved metal formulations
Add what new insights or products came from your research
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Led to improved metal formulationsHelped develop stronger alloysInformed new product designs
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Mention what improvements were made based on your findings
The line
Conducted research on metal properties and structures to identify causes of failures under stress
Mention what improvements were made based on your findings
Pick one that fits
Reduced failure rates in productionEnhanced safety in applicationsImproved material selection processes
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In your wordsAdd it
Adding it to the line…
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What it is made of
Skills for a Materials Scientist resume
What this work is made of. Rung offers these and keeps the ones you claim.
What are you good at?
Testing material and finished quality
Conducting research
Collecting surveys
Monitoring operational procedures
Devising research protocols
Designing research studies
Developing physical theories
Developing new products
Preparing scientific reports
Writing articles
Conferencing with clients
Instructing college students in physical
The work itself
What a Materials Scientist does
The public record of what this job is, in one paragraph.
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 it pays
How much does a Materials Scientist make?
Annual pay across the United States. The middle figure is the median: half earn less than that, and half earn more.
25th percentile
$89,990
Median
$117,790
75th percentile
$150,550
About 8,470 people do this work in the United States.
What it pays in each state
State
25th percentile
Median
75th percentile
CA
$131,060
$177,030
$233,890
CO
$91,030
$117,290
$134,050
CT
$80,080
$130,320
$159,990
DC
$135,540
$137,600
$137,610
FL
$80,720
$102,340
$124,860
GA
$66,950
$91,970
$117,490
IA
$67,590
$88,320
$124,100
IL
$104,350
$125,850
$145,620
IN
$82,180
$130,540
$190,640
KS
$103,630
$115,490
$134,830
MA
$103,890
$132,600
$145,600
MD
$77,580
$112,400
$135,830
MI
$77,160
$107,410
$161,330
MN
$101,540
$132,160
$138,320
MT
$55,810
$71,810
$79,450
NC
$85,580
$106,470
$133,480
NH
$73,310
$119,990
$169,330
NJ
$79,450
$103,150
$126,290
NV
$86,250
$97,490
$98,970
NY
$106,710
$131,740
$167,640
OH
$89,790
$108,830
$138,120
OR
$129,360
$150,550
$175,340
PA
$79,700
$106,920
$123,530
SC
$88,990
$101,930
$116,510
TN
$59,780
$69,010
$85,650
TX
$62,510
$72,700
$114,100
UT
$90,430
$126,840
$171,770
VA
$100,930
$124,150
$139,840
WA
$98,000
$127,250
$163,820
WI
$98,160
$137,700
$154,540
Other names
Other names for this job
analytical scientist, applications scientist, mems device scientist, metal alloy scientist, micro electrical mechanical systems device scientist, plastics scientist, R and D scientist, research and development scientist, research scientist, scientist, material science engineer, materials research engineer.
More names for this work
metallurgical engineer, metallurgist, polymer materials consultant, polymer specialist, research development specialist.
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This page is about the occupation Materials Scientists. What this job involves and what it is made of come from O*NET 30.3, the US Department of Labor's occupation database, refreshed July 2026; Rung writes those records into the plain sentences you see. Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS release for 2025. Rung is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by either agency. How Rung handles accuracy is on the accuracy page, and the full data credits are on the credits page.