Materials Scientist salary in Colorado
Materials Scientists in Colorado earn a median of $117,290 a year ($56.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,770 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $117,790. Colorado ranks 15th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.13 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| 25th percentile | $91,030 | $43.76 |
| Median | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| 75th percentile | $134,050 | $64.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,770 | $77.29 |
| Average (mean) | $118,330 | $56.89 |
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 | $9,774.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,887.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,511.15 |
| Weekly | $2,255.58 |
| Hourly | $56.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $126,880 | 60 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Hydrologist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for materials scientists in Colorado is $117,290 a year, or $56.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Colorado earn at least $160,770 a year. The top 25% earn $134,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,820 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $91,030 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Colorado?
About 370 materials scientists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.