Materials Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Materials Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $151,940 a year ($73.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,310 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 23% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $124,030. There are 1.1 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $143,470, close to the median.
Pay range for materials engineers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| 25th percentile | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| Median | $151,940 | $73.05 |
| 75th percentile | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,310 | $96.30 |
| Average (mean) | $143,470 | $68.98 |
Half of materials engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,330.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,843.85 |
| Weekly | $2,921.92 |
| Hourly | $73.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $125,750 | 480 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $94,700 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
See Materials Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $167,160 | $80.36 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,170 | $62.58 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $151,940 a year, or $73.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $200,310 a year. The top 25% earn $166,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,880 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $110,490 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Boulder, CO?
About 210 materials engineers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.