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The differences between materials scientists and material engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material engineer has an average salary of $86,258, which is higher than the $84,459 average annual salary of a materials scientist.
The top three skills for a materials scientist include polymer, SEM and materials characterization. The most important skills for a material engineer are DOD, failure analysis, and data analysis.
| Materials Scientist | Material Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,459 | $86,258 |
| Hourly rate | $40.61 | $41.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 46,795 | 89,717 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A materials scientist is responsible for evaluating scientific properties, investigating chemical solutions and structures, and analyzing the components of natural materials. Materials scientists perform data analysis using scientific methods and operating different laboratory tools and equipment to develop entirely new scientific discoveries that would benefit various market industries for production. They also validate their findings by researching existing cases or coordinating with science experts to support their claims. A materials scientist creates a comprehensive report, including its scope and benefits for society.
Materials engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials used to create a wide variety of products. These professionals study and evaluate the properties and structure of different materials, including plastics, metal, ceramics, and composites, to create new products. They also perform other tasks that include providing technical advice on suitable materials, diagnosing faults, and providing advice on planning and conducting inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Additionally, they may also oversee the work of other scientists like technicians and evaluate the technical and economic factors surrounding the design aspects of products.
Materials scientists and material engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Scientist | Material Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,459 | $86,258 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $119,000 | Between $65,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials scientist and a material engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Scientist | Material Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Materials Science And Engineering |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between materials scientists' and material engineers' demographics:
| Materials Scientist | Material Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 29.6% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |