How to become a Materials Scientist

Official title: Materials Scientists

Also called: Applications Scientist, Materials Research Engineer, Materials Scientist, Metallurgical Engineer, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Polymer Materials Consultant, R and D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist), Research Scientist, Scientist

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.

Main tasks

• Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
• Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
• Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
• 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.
• Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
• Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
• Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
• Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.

How to become one

To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master's degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $117,790 a year The middle half earn $89,990 to $150,550.
• About 8,600 people work in this job now, and about 9,300 are projected by 2035. (+8.3%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Materials Scientist?

To enter the occupation, chemists and materials scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field. However, they may need a master's degree or Ph.D. for some jobs, such as research positions.

How much does a Materials Scientist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $117,790 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $89,990 to $150,550.

Is a Materials Scientist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 8,600 to about 9,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Materials Scientist?

Usually. 92% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Materials Scientist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.