Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Materials Scientists actually take home in Washington?
No state income tax — 23.4% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Materials Scientists earning $127,250 in Washington (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $127,250 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$20,078 | 15.8% |
| Washington State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$7,889 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,845 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$29,813 | 23.4% |
| Take-Home Pay | $97,436 | 76.6% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Materials Scientists in Washington.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $76,390 | -$14,490 | $61,899 | 19.0% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $98,000 | -$20,898 | $77,102 | 21.3% |
| Median (P50) | $127,250 | -$29,813 | $97,436 | 23.4% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $163,820 | -$41,387 | $122,432 | 25.3% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $209,800 | -$53,734 | $156,066 | 25.6% |
Washington has no state income tax, which means a Materials Scientists keeps $97,436 of their $127,250 salary — 76.6% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Washington one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 23.4%, a Materials Scientists in Washington keeps $97,437 of $127,250 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Washington is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Materials Scientists, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($20,078) accounts for 67% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $9,735 (33%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
For Materials Scientists after-tax pay, Washington ranks #4 of 30 states — top quartile. High gross wages or low state-tax burden (or both) drive the strong ranking.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $97,437 net/year works out to $8,120/month or $3,748/bi-weekly for this Materials Scientists in Washington — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Materials Scientists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Washington ranks #4 out of 30 states for Materials Scientists after-tax take-home pay.
A Materials Scientists in Washington earning a median salary of $127,250 will take home approximately $97,436 per year after federal income tax ($20,078), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($9,734). That is $8,119 per month or $3,747 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Materials Scientists in Washington is 23.4%, broken down as: federal income tax 15.8%, Washington state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Washington does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Materials Scientists in Washington only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 23.4%.
After all taxes, a Materials Scientists in Washington takes home approximately $8,119 per month, or about $46.84 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $127,250 for Materials Scientists in Washington, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Washington state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $97,436/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR