US
Akron, OH
Ohio salary market
$111K
Avg / Year
+7% vs U.S.
vs National
60
Employment
$9.3K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Material Scientist Salary in Akron, OH (2026)

The Material Scientist salary in Akron, OH for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Akron, OH market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Akron, OH city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$111K
per year
Entry Level
$51.2K
starting range
Senior Level
$141K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$114K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$9.3K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$50
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Material Scientist Salary Overview in Akron, OH

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Material Scientist pay in Akron, OH at about $111,461 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $47,460.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $131,980.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Akron, Oh metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Material Scientist salaries in Akron, OH, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Akron, OH vs. U.S. National Average

Akron, OH pays +7% vs u.s. for Material Scientist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$104K
all U.S. markets combined
+7%
Akron, OH Premium
Akron, OH City Average
$111K
Material Scientist
MarketProjected Salaryvs Akron, OHMarket Maturity
Akron, OH (this guide)$111,461BaselineLocal market
United States$104,160-7% vs U.S.National baseline
Cincinnati, OH$102,450-8% vs U.S.Comparable city
Dayton, OH$101,920-9% vs U.S.Comparable city
Cleveland, OH$98,710.0-11% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Akron, OH pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Material Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Akron, OH

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Akron, OH, this breakdown shows how aMaterial Scientist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$77.5K
$54/hr median equivalent
$51.2K - $111K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$111K
$54/hr median equivalent
$77.5K - $141K
Senior
6-10 years
$141K
$54/hr median equivalent
$111K - $142K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$142K
$54/hr median equivalent
$141K - $174K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Material Scientist0-2 years$77,467.0$51,185.0 - $111,461-26% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Material Scientist3-5 years$111,461$77,467.0 - $140,602+7% vs U.S.
Senior Material Scientist6-10 years$140,602$111,461 - $142,338+35% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Material Scientist10+ years$142,338$140,602 - $173,653+37% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Akron, OH

Nearby metro areas help show how Material Scientist pay changes around Akron, OH. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Akron, OH
$111K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Akron, Oh metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Cincinnati, OH
$102K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Material Scientist salaries around Akron, OH.
-8% vs U.S.
#3
Dayton, OH
$102K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Material Scientist salaries around Akron, OH.
-9% vs U.S.
#4
Cleveland, OH
$98.7K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Material Scientist salaries around Akron, OH.
-11% vs U.S.
#5
Columbus, OH
$98.6K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Material Scientist salaries around Akron, OH.
-12% vs U.S.

Material Scientist Salary by Industry in Akron, OH

Industry premiums in Akron, OH usually come from employers that place the Material Scientist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Management of Companies and Enterprises$124,660$77,700.0 - $164,400Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$113,380$75,950.0 - $191,880Stronger salary
Manufacturing$109,320$67,430.0 - $165,910Stronger salary
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$106,130$60,320.0 - $171,580Competitive
Wholesale Trade$96,980.0$77,430.0 - $163,160Competitive
Educational Services$80,050.0$49,090.0 - $122,260Competitive
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$79,680.0$51,980.0 - $181,400Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$78,900.0$49,090.0 - $124,670Competitive

Entry-Level Material Scientist Salary in Akron, OH

Entry-level Material Scientist jobs in Akron, OH are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Material Scientist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Material Scientist roles in Akron, OH is about $77,467.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Material Scientist Pay in Akron, OH

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Material Scientist candidates in Akron, OH. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$111,461
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$113,690
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$109,232Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$113,690Metro dependentAkron, OH employersMedium
Onsite$111,461Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Akron, OH

A salary in Akron, OH should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.5K
$2.0K
$2.6K
Transport / commute
$325.1
$371.5
$418.0
Food and groceries
$696.6
$743.1
$836.0
Utilities and internet
$325.1
$371.5
$418.0
Estimated remainder
$3.2K
$4.8K
$5.9K
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Top Employers Hiring Material Scientists in Akron, OH

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Material Scientist pay tends to be strongest in Akron, OH, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$125K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$113K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Manufacturing employers
$109K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$106K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Wholesale Trade employers
$97.0K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Educational Services employers
$80.1K
Industry benchmark for Material Scientist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Akron, OH Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherAkron, OH is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Material Scientist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Akron, OH
This guide
$111K
Baseline
Cincinnati, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$102K
-8% vs U.S.
Dayton, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$102K
-9% vs U.S.
Cleveland, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$98.7K
-11% vs U.S.
Columbus, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$98.6K
-12% vs U.S.
Columbus, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$103K
-7% vs U.S.
Cincinnati, OH
Nearby U.S. market
$95.1K
-15% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Akron, OH

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$60.4K - $81.2K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$75.0K - $99.0K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$93.7K - $117K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$113K - $146K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$133K - $169K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$156K - $214K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 4.9% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 0.6 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment8.7k → 9.1k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor60 jobs with a median of $111,461

Factors Affecting Material Scientist Salary in Akron, OH

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Material Scientist Salary in Akron, OH

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Material Scientist Salary in Akron, OH: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Material Scientist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Materials Scientists salary?
The latest national baseline for Materials Scientists is about $104,200 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Materials Scientists salary?
Entry-level estimates for Materials Scientists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $61,500 per year nationally.
How much can senior Materials Scientists professionals earn?
Senior Materials Scientists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $134,100 per year nationally.
Does location affect Materials Scientists salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Materials Scientists salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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