Career Paths From Materials Scientists

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Materials EngineersCareer Change94.6% skill match
Materials Scientists and Materials Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Materials Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 4% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$112,860
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Industrial EngineersCareer Change93.6% skill match
Materials Scientists and Industrial Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Industrial Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 13% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$102,440
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Nuclear EngineersCareer Change94.2% skill match
Materials Scientists and Nuclear Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Nuclear Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 14% higher.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$133,970
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Medical DosimetristsCareer Change95.8% skill match
Materials Scientists and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Medical Dosimetrists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 25% higher.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$147,470
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsCareer Change96.2% skill match
Materials Scientists and Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$115,160
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLateral Move94.4% skill match
Materials Scientists and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Occupational Health and Safety Specialists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 23% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$90,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Conservation ScientistsLateral Move93.8% skill match
Materials Scientists and Conservation Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Conservation Scientists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 38% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$73,010
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Soil and Plant ScientistsLateral Move95.7% skill match
Materials Scientists and Soil and Plant Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Soil and Plant Scientists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 33% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$78,850
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
OrthodontistsCareer Change93.6% skill match
Materials Scientists and Orthodontists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Orthodontists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 145% higher.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$289,140
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
ProsthodontistsCareer Change95.3% skill match
Materials Scientists and Prosthodontists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Prosthodontists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 164% higher.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$311,180
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Animal ScientistsLateral Move95.7% skill match
Materials Scientists and Animal Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Animal Scientists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 41% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$68,940
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Architects, Except Landscape and NavalCareer Change93.7% skill match
Materials Scientists and Architects, Except Landscape and Naval share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Architects, Except Landscape and Naval is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 16% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$99,280
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansCareer Change94.9% skill match
Materials Scientists and Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 45% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$64,950
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsLateral Move94.5% skill match
Materials Scientists and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 12% lower.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$103,410
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
NeurologistsCareer Change93.6% skill match
Materials Scientists and Neurologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Neurologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 111% higher.
Current median salary
$117,790
Target median salary
$248,560
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.