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.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Science
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Writing
Speaking
Active Learning

Key knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Computers and Electronics
Production and Processing
Design
Mechanical

What the work involves

Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
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.
Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
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.
Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (61.9% of respondents)
Related experience: None (23.8%)
On-the-job training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month (19.1%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Materials Scientists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 84% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 65% of occupations compared	24% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 67% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	Low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 78% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Very low	Lower on time pressure than 83% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 87% of occupations compared	62% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 91% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Moderate	Higher on consequence of error than 54% of occupations compared	29% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: moderate

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions