Materials Scientist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Materials Scientists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $106,720 a year ($51.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,380 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 9% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $117,290. There are 0.15 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,140 | $33.24 |
| 25th percentile | $91,030 | $43.76 |
| Median | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| 75th percentile | $134,050 | $64.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,380 | $87.69 |
| Average (mean) | $118,860 | $57.14 |
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 | $8,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,446.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,104.62 |
| Weekly | $2,052.31 |
| Hourly | $51.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $126,880 | 60 |
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $140,980 | $67.78 |
| Hydrologist | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| Physicist | $166,140 | $79.88 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $87,170 | $41.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $106,720 a year, or $51.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $182,380 a year. The top 25% earn $134,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,140 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $91,030 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 240 materials scientists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.