Materials Scientists Salary
The median pay for a materials scientists in Colorado is $117,290/year ($56.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $117K get you in Colorado?
About materials scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $117K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $84K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists salary by metro in Colorado
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $127K | +8% | 60 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $107K | -9% | 240 |
Compare to other states
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a materials scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
Yes — at the median salary of $117K, rent takes 28.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for materials scientists in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new materials scientists typically earn — is $77K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,609/month.
Is materials scientist a high-paying job in Colorado?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $117K locally vs. $118K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for materials scientists?
Colorado pays $117K median vs. the U.S. average of $118K — that’s +0%.
How much do materials scientists make in Colorado?
The median is $117,290 a year, that works out to about $56 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,820, and experienced materials scientists can clear $160,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $117K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,145/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 28.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a materials scientists salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials scientists salary is worth about $117,290 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do materials scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.