Materials Scientist salary in Boulder, CO
Materials Scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $126,880 a year ($61.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,900 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 8% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $117,290. There are 0.32 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,330, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,960 | $39.89 |
| 25th percentile | $85,480 | $41.10 |
| Median | $126,880 | $61.00 |
| 75th percentile | $138,960 | $66.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,900 | $82.65 |
| Average (mean) | $122,330 | $58.81 |
Half of materials scientists 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 | $10,573.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,286.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,880 |
| Weekly | $2,440 |
| Hourly | $61.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $106,720 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
See Materials Scientist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| Chemist | $105,590 | $50.77 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,860 | $51.86 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,320 | $67.94 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $140,710 | $67.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Biological Technician | $75,390 | $36.24 |
| School Psychologist | $143,020 | $68.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,710 | $48.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2032. 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 scientist make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $126,880 a year, or $61.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $171,900 a year. The top 25% earn $138,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,960 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $85,480 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Boulder, CO?
About 60 materials scientists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.