Colorado Median
$117,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#15 of 30
370 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Colorado?
Materials Scientists in Colorado take home a median of $117,290 annually — roughly $56.39 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $117,790.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $76,820 while the top 10% make $160,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,030 and $134,050 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,820 | $36.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $91,030 | $43.76 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $117,290 | $56.39 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,050 | $64.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,770 | $77.29 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 15th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
California $177,030Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Illinois $125,850Virginia $124,150New Hampshire $119,990Kansas $115,490Maryland $112,400Ohio $108,830Michigan $107,410Pennsylvania $106,920North Carolina $106,470New Jersey $103,150Florida $102,340South Carolina $101,930Nevada $97,490Georgia $91,970Iowa $88,320Texas $72,700Montana $71,810Tennessee $69,010
Working as a Materials Scientist in Colorado
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Materials Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($117,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Colorado?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Colorado is $117,290 per year, or about $56.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,820 at the entry level to $160,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Materials Scientists about 0% more than the national median of $117,790. Colorado ranks 15th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $117,290 a year. About 370 Materials Scientists are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Materials Scientist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.