Becoming a Materials Scientist via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering science courses to train individuals to become top-notch scientists, information scientists, bioengineers, biophysicists, anthropologists, biochemists, biomathematicians, biologists, bioinformatics specialists, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 8,880 people employed as materials scientists alone in America, and their average annual salary is $82,350. Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a Materials Scientist
  • science lab
  • office
  • home
  • in a field
  • near a river
  • at a lake
  • at a science convention
  • a steel plant
  • on a mountain
  • in a manufacturing plant
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Materials Scientist
  • study new materials
  • work in a lab
  • paid vacation
  • good benefits
  • overtime pay
  • challenging work
  • meet new people
  • get your findings published
  • become a well known scientist
  • research new findings
Potential Drawbacks
  • salary depends upon experience
  • stress in work
  • work weekends
  • work late hours
  • no work limit
  • travel often
  • grant applications are often denied
  • work by yourself often
  • less time for family
  • work under government supervision
Related Professions to Consider
  • Civil Engineering
  • Materials Scientist
  • Surface Materials Scientist
  • Optical Materials Scientist
  • Research Investigator
  • Executive Scientist
  • Materials Characterization Scientist
  • Senior Scientist
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Lead Program Integrator
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Materials Scientist
  • What are you looking for in a company?
  • What interests you about this field?
  • What are your main weaknesses?
  • What are your Key skills and Achievements?
  • What is your job expectation?
  • What are your three most significant aspired career achievements?
  • Describe a problem you recently handled. were you successful in resolving the issue?
  • what are your strengths?
  • How do you demonstrate initiative?
  • Why are you seeking new employment at this time?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Physics Scientist
  • Chemistry Scientist
  • Tester
  • Materials Tester
  • Artist
  • Builder
  • Laborer
  • Construction Manager
Materials Scientist Training books Materials Scientist (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • aerospace engineering
  • bioengineering
  • chemical engineering
  • civil engineering
  • computer engineering
  • electrical engineering
  • engineering management
  • environmental engineering
  • industrial engineering
  • manufacturing engineering

Materials Scientist Salary Information

Category: Materials scientists

Total # Employed in the US 8,880
Average Hourly Wage: $39.59/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$21.07 $28.76 $38.61 $49.44 $60.46
Average Yearly Salary $82,350
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$43,820 $59,810 $80,300 $102,840 $125,760
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 3.7% 3.3% 52.4% 20.7% 19.0%
Materials scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Delaware $57.68/hr $119,980
Missouri $48.19/hr $100,240
Colorado $45.38/hr $94,400
Mississippi $44.55/hr $92,670
Nebraska $44.09/hr $91,700
North Dakota $43.93/hr $91,370
Arkansas $43.51/hr $90,510
California $42.32/hr $88,020
Oklahoma $41.78/hr $86,910
Tennessee $41.24/hr $85,790
Kentucky $40.92/hr $85,110
Idaho $40.72/hr $84,700
District of Columbia $40.59/hr $84,430
Ohio $39.7/hr $82,570
Connecticut $39.41/hr $81,980
Wyoming $39.19/hr $81,510
Wisconsin $38.11/hr $79,260
Louisiana $38.04/hr $79,120
Montana $38.02/hr $79,090
Oregon $37.7/hr $78,410
Guam $37.65/hr $78,310
South Carolina $37.48/hr $77,950
Utah $37.15/hr $77,260
Maine $37.13/hr $77,230
New Hampshire $36.36/hr $75,620
Washington $34.97/hr $72,730
Hawaii $34.83/hr $72,450
Michigan $34.37/hr $71,490
Kansas $33.12/hr $68,900
Maryland $29.17/hr $60,670


Science Programs by State & City