Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Materials Scientists salary really buy you in New York?
New York is 7.6% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
New York's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Materials Scientists earning $131,740 in New York has the equivalent purchasing power of $122,434 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New York's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $87,880 | $81,672 | $-6,207 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $106,710 | $99,172 | $-7,537 |
| Median (P50) | $131,740 | $122,434 | $-9,305 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $167,640 | $155,799 | $-11,840 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $204,830 | $190,362 | $-14,467 |
While $131,740 sounds high, New York's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $122,434. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
New York's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Materials Scientists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying New York's RPP, the $131,740 median salary translates to $122,435 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Materials Scientists.
New York sits at #10 of 30 states for Materials Scientists COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Materials Scientists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
New York ranks #10 out of 30 states for Materials Scientists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Materials Scientists take-home pay in New York after taxes →
A Materials Scientists in New York earns a median salary of $131,740 per year. After adjusting for New York's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $122,434 — a -7.1% difference.
New York's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New York is 107.6 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Materials Scientists in New York: $131,740 x (100 / 107.6) = $122,434. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Materials Scientists's nominal salary of $131,740 in New York has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $122,434. However, New York may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.