Material Scientist Salary Overview in Austin, TX
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Material Scientist pay in Austin, TX at about $144,010 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $66,570.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $209,990.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Round Rock, and San Marcos.
If you’re comparing Material Scientist salaries in Austin, TX, 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.
Austin, TX vs. U.S. National Average
Austin, TX pays +38% 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.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Austin, TX | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX (this guide) | $144,010 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $104,160 | -28% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| Dallas, TX | $91,850.0 | -36% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Houston, TX | $79,900.0 | -45% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| College Station, TX | $51,780.0 | -64% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
Material Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Austin, TX
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Austin, TX, this breakdown shows how aMaterial Scientist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Material Scientist | 0-2 years | $102,553 | $71,795.0 - $144,010 | -2% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Material Scientist | 3-5 years | $144,010 | $102,553 - $221,305 | +38% vs U.S. |
| Senior Material Scientist | 6-10 years | $221,305 | $144,010 - $226,471 | +112% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Material Scientist | 10+ years | $226,471 | $221,305 - $276,295 | +117% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Austin, TX
Nearby metro areas help show how Material Scientist pay changes around Austin, TX. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
Material Scientist Salary by Industry in Austin, TX
Industry premiums in Austin, TX 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.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $124,660 | $77,700.0 - $164,400 | Stronger salary |
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $113,380 | $75,950.0 - $191,880 | Stronger salary |
| Manufacturing | $109,320 | $67,430.0 - $165,910 | Stronger salary |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $106,130 | $60,320.0 - $171,580 | Competitive |
| Wholesale Trade | $96,980.0 | $77,430.0 - $163,160 | Competitive |
| Educational Services | $80,050.0 | $49,090.0 - $122,260 | Competitive |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $79,680.0 | $51,980.0 - $181,400 | Competitive |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $78,900.0 | $49,090.0 - $124,670 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Material Scientist Salary in Austin, TX
Entry-level Material Scientist jobs in Austin, TX 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.
Remote vs Onsite Material Scientist Pay in Austin, TX
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Material Scientist candidates in Austin, TX. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $141,130 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $146,890 | Metro dependent | Austin, TX employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $144,010 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Austin, TX
A salary in Austin, TX 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.
Top Employers Hiring Material Scientists in Austin, TX
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Material Scientist pay tends to be strongest in Austin, TX, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Austin, TX Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherAustin, TX is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Material Scientist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
Material Scientist Salary Trends in Austin, TX Over Time
Only one local BLS wage year is currently available for Material Scientist in Austin, TX. This view shows the most recent verified benchmark; additional years will expand the trend view as more data becomes available.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($134K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Austin, TX
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.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 8.7k → 9.1k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Related experience | A 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 anchor | 30 jobs with a median of $144,010 |
Factors Affecting Material Scientist Salary in Austin, TX
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.
How to Increase Your Material Scientist Salary in Austin, TX
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.
Material Scientist Salary in Austin, TX: 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?⌄
What is the entry-level Materials Scientists salary?⌄
How much can senior Materials Scientists professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Materials Scientists salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Materials Scientists salary growth?⌄
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.