Materials Scientists pay range in Louisville
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,690 a year or less, while the top 10% make $105,540 or more. The middle half of materials scientists in Louisville earn between $60,690 and $74,950.
- $46K10th
- $61K25th
- $61KMedian
- $75K75th
- $106K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $70,150 | $5,846 | $33.73 |
| Median | $60,690 | $5,058 | $29.18 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $60,690 | $5,058 | $29.18 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $74,950 | $6,246 | $36.03 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Materials Scientists pay in Louisville vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Materials scientists in Louisville earn 44% less than the U.S. average ($126,180). At the median the gap is -48% against the U.S. median of $117,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $70,150 | $60,690 | $45,690 | $105,540 | 40 |
| United States | $126,180 | $117,790 | $66,820 | $197,290 | 8,470 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Materials Scientists salary after taxes in Louisville
On the average salary of $70,150, a single filer in Louisville takes home about $54,300 a year, or $4,525 a month and $2,088 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $56,106 | $4,676 |
| Working in KY | $54,300 | $4,525 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Is Louisville a good place for materials scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Louisville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.1), so the average $70,150 buys what about $75,370 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Louisville ($48,370). A typical home costs $283,232, or 4.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Materials Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$105,030
- Columbus, OH$99,670
- Chicago, IL$140,350
- Akron, OH$115,650
- Atlanta, GA$98,270
- Cleveland, OH$118,440
Highest-paying cities for materials scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($225,960).
- San Francisco, CA$225,960
- San Jose, CA$225,780
- Los Angeles, CA$154,850
- Portland, OR$151,750
- Worcester, MA$150,530
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Materials Scientists salary in Louisville: questions
How much do materials scientists make an hour in Louisville?
$33.72 an hour on average, and $29.18 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level materials scientists salary in Louisville?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,690 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,690, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the materials scientists take-home pay in Louisville?
About $54,300 a year ($4,525 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,150. Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Do materials scientists earn more in Louisville than elsewhere?
The average here is 44% less than the U.S. average for this job ($126,180).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2032; area Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN (31140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.03, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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