Details Report for:
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.
Sample of reported job titles: Materials Scientist, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Polymer Materials Consultant, Research and Development Scientist (R and D Scientist), Research Scientist, Scientist
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Category | Task |
---|---|---|
87 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
85 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
81 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
80 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
80 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
75 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
73 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
72 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
72 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
67 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
67 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
66 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
58 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
67 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
61 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
58 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analytical or scientific software — Bruker AXS LEPTOS; IBM SPSS Statistics
; PANalytical X'Pert Epitaxy; VAMP/VASP (see all 26 examples)
- Data base user interface and query software — International Centre for Diffraction Data ICDD DDView
- Development environment software — National Instruments LabVIEW
- Electronic mail software — Email software
- Internet browser software — Web browser software
- Object or component oriented development software — R
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Abrasion testers — Erosion testers; Scratch testers; Slurry abrasion testers
- Accelerometers
- Analytical balances — Laboratory analytical balances
- Atomic absorption AA spectrometers — Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes
- Binocular light compound microscopes — Optical compound microscopes
- Blow torch — Thermal spray torches
- Calorimeters — Differential scanning calorimeters; Microcalorimeters
- Casting machines — Tape casters
- Corrosion testers — Multisample autoclaves; Salt spray chambers; Titanium autoclaves
- Creep testers — Creep testing equipment
- Crucible furnaces — Induction furnaces
- Crystal growing equipment — Crystal growers
- Desktop computers
- Diffractometers — Theta-theta diffractometers
- Electronic actuators — Dynamic actuators; Static actuators
- Extruders — Extruding machines
- Fatigue testers — Servohydraulic test machines
- Freeze dryers or lyopholizers — Freeze dryers
- Frequency analyzers — Spectrum analyzers
- Fume hoods or cupboards — Fume hoods
- Goggles — Safety goggles
- Grinders — Manual grinders
- Hardness testers — Macrohardness testers
- Horizontal turning center — Ultraprecision lathes
- Hydraulic press frames — Hot mounting presses; Hydraulic presses
- Impact testers
- Induction heaters — Plasma arc melting furnaces
- Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrometers — Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers ICP-MS
- Infrared spectrometers — Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers
- Injection molding machines — Screw injection molding machines
- Interferometers — Interferometric microscopes; Laser interferometers
- Ion selective electrode ISE meters — Ion analyzers
- Isolation glove boxes — Glove box systems
- Laboratory balances — Quartz crystal microbalances; Semi-microbalances; Ultra microbalances
- Laboratory box furnaces — Box furnaces; Muffle furnaces; Nitrogen furnaces; Ultra high temperature furnaces (see all 5 examples)
- Laboratory crushers or pulverizers — Pulverizers
- Laboratory evaporators — High vacuum evaporation systems; Metal evaporation chambers
- Laboratory mills — Ball mills; Shaker ball mills
- Laboratory mixers — Blungers
- Light scattering equipment — Backscatter detectors; Dynamic light scattering equipment
- Linear position sensors — Linear variable differential transformers LVDT
- Loadcells — Load cells
- Magnetometers — Vibrating sample magnetometers
- Manometers — Capacitance manometers
- Mass spectrometers — Gas chromatograph mass spectrometers GC-MS; Mobile mass spectrometers
- Metal markers or holders — Electrolytic etching machines
- Metallurgical microscopes — Metallographic microscopes
- Microcontrollers — Programmable logic controllers PLC
- Milling machines — Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers
- Notebook computers — Laptop computers
- Oscilloscopes — Digital oscilloscopes
- Particle size measuring apparatus — Sedigraphs
- Personal computers
- Photo attachments for microscopes — Charge-coupled device CCD cameras; Microscope digital cameras
- Polarizing microscopes — Petrographic microscopes
- Porosimeters — Pore sizers
- Potentiometers — Potentiostats
- Power grinders — Grinding spindles; Semiautomatic grinders
- Power saws — Diamond wafering saws; High-speed cutoff saws
- Presses — Cold isostatic presses; Hot isostatic presses
- Radiation detectors — Peltier cooled solid-state detectors
- Reflectometers — Neutron reflectometers
- Rheometers — Capillary rheometers
- Roughness measuring instruments — Stylus profilometers
- Safety glasses
- Sampling manifolds — High-vacuum manifolds
- Scanning electron microscopes — Field emission scanning electron microscopes; Scanning electron microscopes SEM
- Scanning probe microscopes — Atomic force microscopes; Nanoscope atomic force microscopes; Scanning Kelvin probes; Scanning tunneling microscopes STM (see all 5 examples)
- Semiconductor process systems — Reactive ion etchers RIE; Sputter deposition systems
- Signal generators — Function generators
- Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters — Spectrofluorimeters
- Spectrometers — Dielectric spectrometers; Gamma ray spectrometers; Mossbauer spectroscopes; Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS (see all 6 examples)
- Spectrophotometers
- Stereo or dissecting light microscopes — Stereo microscopes
- Surface tension measuring instruments — Contact angle goniometers
- Surface testers — Optical profilometers; Profilometers
- Swaging tools
- Thermal differential analyzers — Differential thermal analyzers; Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA
- Thermo gravimetry analyzers — Thermal gravimetric analyzers
- Thickness measuring devices — Ellipsometers; Imaging ellipsometers; Quartz crystal thickness monitors
- Transmission electron microscopes — Transmission electron microscopes TEM
- Tube furnaces — Horizontal tube furnaces
- Tumblers or polishers — Vibratory polishers
- Ultra pure water systems — Laboratory water purification systems
- Ultrasonic cleaning equipment — Ultrasonic cleaners
- Ultrasonic examination equipment — Sonic modulus testers; Ultrasonic analyzers
- Vacuum ovens — Annealing ovens
- Viscosimeters — Cone viscometers; Plate viscometers; Rotational viscometers
- Volumeters — Dilatometers; Double push rod dilatometers
- Wear testers — Ball-on-disk tribometers; UV exposure chambers
- X ray diffraction equipment — X ray diffractometers
- X ray generators
- X ray radiography examination equipment — Industrial computed tomography CT scanners
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Knowledge |
|
---|---|---|
94 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
88 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
61 ![]() ![]() |
||
45 ![]() ![]() |
||
41 ![]() ![]() |
||
37 ![]() ![]() |
||
37 ![]() ![]() |
||
35 ![]() ![]() |
||
33 ![]() ![]() |
||
30 ![]() ![]() |
||
30 ![]() ![]() |
||
29 ![]() ![]() |
||
28 ![]() ![]() |
||
23 ![]() ![]() |
||
23 ![]() ![]() |
||
22 ![]() ![]() |
||
18 ![]() ![]() |
||
13 ![]() ![]() |
||
11 ![]() ![]() |
||
11 ![]() ![]() |
||
8 ![]() ![]() |
||
8 ![]() ![]() |
||
8 ![]() ![]() |
||
7 ![]() ![]() |
||
6 ![]() ![]() |
||
3 ![]() ![]() |
||
1 ![]() ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Skill |
|
---|---|---|
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
75 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
50 ![]() ![]() |
||
50 ![]() ![]() |
||
50 ![]() ![]() |
||
47 ![]() ![]() |
||
44 ![]() ![]() |
||
41 ![]() ![]() |
||
41 ![]() ![]() |
||
38 ![]() ![]() |
||
38 ![]() ![]() |
||
28 ![]() ![]() |
||
28 ![]() ![]() |
||
25 ![]() ![]() |
||
22 ![]() ![]() |
||
22 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
16 ![]() ![]() |
||
0 ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Activity |
|
---|---|---|
93 ![]() ![]() |
||
93 ![]() ![]() |
||
88 ![]() ![]() |
||
87 ![]() ![]() |
||
86 ![]() ![]() |
||
86 ![]() ![]() |
||
86 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
80 ![]() ![]() |
||
79 ![]() ![]() |
||
75 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
73 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
68 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
64 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
62 ![]() ![]() |
||
59 ![]() ![]() |
||
57 ![]() ![]() |
||
57 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
48 ![]() ![]() |
||
45 ![]() ![]() |
||
44 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
||
36 ![]() ![]() |
||
33 ![]() ![]() |
||
33 ![]() ![]() |
||
32 ![]() ![]() |
||
32 ![]() ![]() |
||
25 ![]() ![]() |
||
23 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
11 ![]() ![]() |
Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Develop new or advanced products or production methods.
- Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
- Devise research or testing protocols.
- Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
- Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
- Advise others on the development or use of new technologies.
- Test quality of materials or finished products.
- Confer with clients to exchange information.
- Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.
- Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
- Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
- Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
Education | Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
Related Experience | Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
Job Training | Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians. |
SVP Range | (8.0 and above) |
Education
![]() Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Required |
---|---|
38 ![]() ![]() |
Bachelor's degree |
24 ![]() ![]() |
Master's degree |
24 ![]() ![]() |
Doctoral degree |
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
---|---|---|
100 ![]() ![]() |
||
67 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
|
45 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
||
28 ![]() ![]() |
||
6 ![]() ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Style |
|
---|---|---|
92 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
87 ![]() ![]() |
||
87 ![]() ![]() |
||
82 ![]() ![]() |
||
82 ![]() ![]() |
||
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
76 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
67 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
62 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
48 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
11-9121.00 | Natural Sciences Managers ![]() |
17-2031.00 | Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers ![]() |
17-2111.00 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors |
17-2112.02 | Validation Engineers ![]() |
17-2131.00 | Materials Engineers |
19-1021.00 | Biochemists and Biophysicists |
19-1029.04 | Biologists |
19-2031.00 | Chemists ![]() |
19-2042.00 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers ![]() |
25-1052.00 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages (2019) | $46.54 hourly, $96,810 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 7,000 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 600 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Manufacturing (40% employed in this sector)
Educational Services (12%)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Chemical Society
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- American Physical Society
- American Vacuum Society
- ASM International
- IEEE
- Materials Research Society
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chemists and materials scientists
- Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
- Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering
- Society of Plastics Engineers
- The American Ceramic Society
- The Electrochemical Society
- The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society