Materials Scientists
Medium49.08%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$64,130
Median$106,160
High (90th %)$170,900
AI Prompt Guides for Materials Scientists
Unlock expert prompt guides tailored for this Materials Scientists. Get strategies to boost your productivity and results with AI.
AI Prompt Tool for Materials Scientists
Experiment with and customize AI prompts designed for this occupation. Try, edit, and save prompts for your workflow.
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.
The occupation of "Materials Scientists" carries an automation risk of 49.1%, which is slightly below the base risk of 50.0%. This risk assessment reflects the dual nature of the role: while many technical and repetitive tasks can be automated, significant elements of the job still require complex human judgement and creativity. The work often revolves around the development, testing, and analysis of materials such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics. With strong advances in AI, machine learning, and laboratory robotics, the technical facets of the position have become increasingly susceptible to automation, as algorithms and automated equipment can efficiently perform many testing and data analysis functions with high accuracy. However, complete automation is hindered by tasks that demand human insight and innovation. The three most automatable tasks in this profession include: conducting research on the structures and properties of materials to support new product development or enhancement, testing metals to determine their mechanical and physical property conformance, and testing material samples under varied stresses to identify the causes of failure. These activities typically involve structured processes, large datasets, and repeatable procedures—making them ideal candidates for automation technologies. Advances in laboratory automation now allow machines to conduct, monitor, and record experiments at a scale and speed far greater than humans, reducing human involvement in routine testing and analysis. Machine learning algorithms further support these processes by identifying trends, patterns, or anomalies in complex datasets, thus enabling rapid materials innovation. Conversely, three tasks remain highly resistant to automation: teaching in colleges and universities, writing research papers for scientific publication, and visiting suppliers or users to gather detailed information. These responsibilities require advanced interpersonal skills, adaptive communication, critical thinking, and a high degree of originality—attributes that current AI and automation systems lack. Bottleneck skills such as originality, with scores of 3.3% and 4.1%, indicate the importance of creative thinking for tasks like scientific publication and developing novel materials. While automation can aid in data collection and preliminary analysis, the interpretive and innovative elements of materials science rely on human expertise and intuition, preserving a significant human component within the occupation.
Filter by Automatable Status
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.
Partially Automatable
Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
Partially Automatable
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.
Partially Automatable
Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
Partially Automatable
Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
Partially Automatable
Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
Partially Automatable
Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
Partially Automatable
Perform experiments and computer modeling to study the nature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
Partially Automatable
Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
Partially Automatable
Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
Partially Automatable
Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
Partially Automatable
Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.
Partially Automatable
Write research papers for publication in scientific journals.
Partially Automatable
Teach in colleges and universities.
Partially Automatable
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.
Partially Automatable
Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingEnglish Language
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
RPythonHypertext markup language HTMLSolidWorks COSMOSWorksNational Instruments LabVIEWCrystalMakerAccelrys Materials StudioAdvanced Chemistry Development Analytical LaboratoryBruker AXS EVABruker AXS LEPTOSChempute Software HSC ChemistryMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsMaplesoft MapleWolfram Research MathematicaANSYS MultiphysicsGAMESS-USInternational Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDViewMultichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA softwareEmail softwareMicrosoft ExcelOlympus Image AnalysisPANalytical X'Pert EpitaxyPWscfRIETANVAMP/VASPThe MathWorks MATLABRThe MathWorks MATLABPythonHypertext markup language HTMLANSYS MultiphysicsSolidWorks COSMOSWorksANSYS LS-DYNACrystalMakerMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsMaplesoft MapleWolfram Research MathematicaAccelrys Materials StudioBruker AXS EVABruker AXS LEPTOSChempute Software HSC ChemistryEmail softwareMicrosoft ExcelGAMESS-USMultichannel microelectrode analyzer MMA softwareOlympus Image AnalysisPWscfRIETANVAMP/VASPBruker AXS TOPASMaterials Data Incorporated JadePANalytical X'Pert Data CollectorStewart Computational Chemistry MOPACDassault Systemes AbaqusDassault Systemes AbaqusNational Instruments LabVIEWANSYS LS-DYNAAdvanced Chemistry Development Analytical LaboratoryInternational Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDViewPANalytical X'Pert EpitaxyBruker AXS TOPASMaterials Data Incorporated JadePANalytical X'Pert Data CollectorStewart Computational Chemistry MOPACGeneral Structural Analysis System GSASGeneral Structural Analysis System GSASMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office software
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Medium49.00%
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Chemical Engineers
Medium50.90%
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Electrical Engineers
Medium51.39%
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Medium47.85%
Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.
Industrial Engineers
Medium52.84%
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Manufacturing Engineers
Medium46.99%
Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
Materials Engineers
Medium47.91%
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Mechanical Engineers
Medium50.83%
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Mechatronics Engineers
Medium50.13%
Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.
Microsystems Engineers
Medium45.90%
Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.
Photonics Engineers
Medium48.01%
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
Nanosystems Engineers
Medium47.02%
Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium44.30%
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium50.78%
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium51.17%
Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium48.38%
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Calibration Technologists and Technicians
Medium50.00%
Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.
Photonics Technicians
Medium49.31%
Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
Chemists
Medium51.25%
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Chemical Technicians
Medium50.77%
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
Fuel Cell Engineers
Medium50.01%
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
Astronomers
Medium46.13%
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Physicists
Medium51.27%
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Medium40.92%
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.