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Average Materials Scientists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Yes, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is a highly lucrative market for Materials Scientistss. With an average annual salary of $164,410, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm. Notably, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 1.46x higher than average.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $164,410 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 32.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $234,280.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Materials Scientistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 90 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$164,410

The average Materials Scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+45.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$79

Weekly

$3,162

Monthly

$13,701

Materials Scientists Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

The earning potential for Materials Scientistss in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $134,200, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $234,280.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$134,200$64.5
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$123,308$59.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$156,530$75.3
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$205,513$98.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$234,280$112.6

Detailed Materials Scientists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$164,410

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$164,410

Adjusted for COL (100)

In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $164,410 to $164,410.

Job Market Context

90

Total Jobs

0.079

Per 1K Jobs

1.46

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.46, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Materials Scientists roles compared to the national norm.

90 people work as Materials Scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.

Only 0.079 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Materials Scientists roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Materials Scientists

Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Hiring Materials Scientistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Materials Scientists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median annual salary for a Materials Scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $164,410. This typically ranges from $134,200 for entry-level positions to $234,280 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 45.1% higher than the national median of $113,300.

Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place for Materials Scientistss?

Yes, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is an excellent location for Materials Scientistss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($164,410) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Materials Scientists?

The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($136,170) and others.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 90 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.079 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.