Occupations/19-2032.00
Materials Scientists
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.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
59%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
37%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
26%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Task
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.
- Task
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.
- Task
Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
These are core tasks from O*NET. The wording didn’t clearly split routine from human, so they are listed without that label.
Core tasks
- 01Conduct 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.
- 02Test 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.
- 03Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
- 04Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
- 05Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
- 06Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks1.95
- Degree of automation2.30
- Time sitting3.80
- Originality (ability)3.25
- Conflict situations2.24
- Hands-on objects/tools2.45
- Outdoors / weather1.71
- Disease exposure1.10
- Decision freedom3.76
Top abilities
- Written Expression4.00
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Inductive Reasoning4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Information Ordering3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.00
- Active Listening4.00
- Writing3.88
- Speaking3.75
- Mathematics3.50
- Science4.00
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.75
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 30 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Materials Science 40.1001 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $65,238 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 40.10 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Materials Science 40.1001 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $59,417 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 40.10 |
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public | Materials Science 40.1001 | $13,200 | 87% | 66% | 1 yr $58,943 2 yr $67,101 Bachelor's · CIP 40.10 |
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $13,200 | 83% | 68% | 1 yr $41,193 2 yr $36,848 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $10,700 | 86% | 79% | 1 yr $40,550 2 yr $39,585 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $11,700 | 31% | 88% | 1 yr $40,140 2 yr $43,575 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $6,500 | 25% | 84% | 1 yr $39,510 2 yr $40,455 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $39,369 2 yr $43,426 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $9,600 | 99% | 66% | 1 yr $39,009 2 yr $29,685 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $38,289 2 yr $42,012 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $10,800 | 83% | 66% | 1 yr $36,938 2 yr $39,909 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Textile Science 19.0904 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr $36,560 2 yr $33,993 Bachelor's · CIP 19.09 |