Materials Scientists
SOC Code: 19-2032 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Materials Scientists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | $133,890 | $148,741 | $163,613 | $178,464 |
| Merced, CA | $133,453 | $148,387 | $163,322 | $178,256 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,594 | $150,426 | $164,278 | $178,110 |
| Salinas, CA | $125,091 | $141,981 | $158,850 | $175,739 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $101,670 | $123,698 | $145,746 | $167,773 |
| Modesto, CA | $101,504 | $123,552 | $145,579 | $167,627 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $98,779 | $121,077 | $143,395 | $165,693 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $83,013 | $109,158 | $135,304 | $161,450 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $88,005 | $111,966 | $135,949 | $159,910 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,758 | $110,198 | $134,638 | $159,078 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | 16 | $73,095 |
| Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC | 2 | $81,707 |
| Abilene Christian University | 2 | $39,520 |
| Kelly Services, Inc. | 2 | $109,158 |
| Leland Stanford Jr. Univ/SLAC National Accelerator Lab | 2 | $140,679 |
| University of Nevada, Reno | 2 | $58,650 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 1 | $55,000 |
| Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station | 1 | $60,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | 1 | $54,924 |
| Florida A&M University | 1 | $54,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | $41,975 |
| 2021 | 4 | $70,143 |
| 2022 | 1 | $60,000 |
| 2023 | 3 | $75,495 |
| 2024 | 12 | $74,618 |
| 2025 | 9 | $106,969 |
| 2026 | 2 | $76,683 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Science | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 | |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | 4.8 |
| Chemistry | 4.6 |
| Physics | 4.4 |
| Mathematics | 4.3 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.8 |
| Production and Processing | 3.7 |
| Design | 3.6 |
| Mechanical | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 61.9% |
| Post-first professional | 14.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.5% |
| Associate's degree | 4.8% |
| Master's degree | 4.8% |
| Other | 4.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
- Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
- 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.
- Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
- 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.
- Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
- Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
- Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Hypertext markup language HTML IBM SPSS Statistics Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Python R The MathWorks MATLAB ANSYS LS-DYNA ANSYS Multiphysics Accelrys Materials Studio Advanced Chemistry Development Analytical Laboratory Bruker AXS EVA Bruker AXS LEPTOS
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