# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-scientists
- SOC code: 19-2032.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $117,790 (10th percentile $66,820, 90th percentile $197,290)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +8.3%
- Openings a year: 600
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 80 |
| Investigative (I) | 93 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 6 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 53 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 85/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 85/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 83/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 76/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Science, Writing, Active Learning, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Production and Processing, Design, Mechanical, English Language, Education and Training

## Also called

Analytical Scientist, Applications Scientist, Material Science Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Materials Scientist, Metal Alloy Scientist, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Plastics Scientist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Apparel and Textiles](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1909) (CIP 1909, 135 colleges)
- [Materials Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4010) (CIP 4010, 69 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Materials Sciences | $82,424 | $119,715 | not reported |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Apparel and Textiles | $60,834 | $94,967 | not reported |
| [Indiana University-Bloomington Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/indiana-university-bloomington-main-campus-1277) | Apparel and Textiles | $53,936 | $77,520 | $19,384 |
| [University of Delaware](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-delaware-2905) | Apparel and Textiles | $53,050 | $76,595 | $27,000 |
| [Utah State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-state-university-3102) | Apparel and Textiles | $56,150 | $74,686 | $12,500 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Apparel and Textiles | $59,432 | $71,922 | $18,500 |
| [Fashion Institute of Technology FIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/fashion-institute-of-technology-fit-942) | Apparel and Textiles | $48,197 | $71,139 | $20,000 |
| [Ohio State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ohio-state-university-main-campus-2000) | Apparel and Textiles | $49,266 | $66,256 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Materials Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-engineers): $112,860 median pay
- [Nanosystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanosystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Manufacturing Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/manufacturing-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineers): $104,110 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.