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.

1.7OUT OF 10SAFEHIGH RISK
Low Risk

You're basically automation-proof

Safer than 11% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 2% probability of automation for this role
paper →
11%
of jobs safer
911
jobs riskier than this
+4.9%
projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Hybrid Threat

Both AI software and physical automation threaten different aspects of this role, creating a compound risk from multiple directions.

Materials Scientists are seeing generative AI models trained on the Materials Project database and tools like Citrine Informatics accelerate materials property prediction and composition optimization—work that once required extensive experimental iteration. High-throughput computational screening is increasingly AI-driven. The irreplaceable human contributions are synthesis expertise, characterization of novel failure modes, and the iterative problem-solving when materials behave unexpectedly in real systems—skills that remain central through 2027.

Disrupted byBoston DynamicsChatGPT / GPT-4oAmazon Robotics

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay
$104,160
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
10-Year Job Growth
+4.9%
As fast as average
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone 4 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

1.7
2.0
2.3
2.9
Today
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)
AI-resistant (1)
Mixed
Critical Thinking80%
Active Learning75%
Complex Problem Solving78%
Judgment and Decision Making82%
Reading Comprehension72%

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Materials Scientists

1.7
/ 10
Low Risk
17% automation risk

"Congrats — you are delightfully robot-proof. Go touch some grass."

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MATERIALS SCIENTISTS
1.7

/ 10

LOW RISK

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You're safer than 11% of all knowledge workers we track.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →