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Materials Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Colorado (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Materials Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Colorado? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

179% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Colorado salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$64,710
$5,392/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$124,030
$10,336/mo
Senior (P90)
$180,500
$15,042/mo

Colorado vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$64,710
National: $74,458
-13.1%
Mid-Career (Median)
$124,030
National: $108,868
+13.9%
Senior (P90)
$180,500
National: $158,087
+14.2%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Materials Engineers in Colorado spans from $64,710 at entry-level to $180,500 at senior level — a difference of $115,790 per year.

P10
$64K
P25
$94K
Median
$124K
P75
$164K
P90
$180K

Career Growth Premium: +179%

Senior Materials Engineerss in Colorado earn $115,790 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$115,790
Monthly Difference
+$9,649
Hourly Difference
+$55.67
Growth Multiple
2.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Materials Engineers salary increases with experience in Colorado, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $64,710 $5,392 $31.11
Early Career P25 $94,640 $7,887 $45.50
Mid-Career Median $124,030 $10,336 $59.63
Experienced P75 $164,630 $13,719 $79.15
Senior / Expert P90 $180,500 $15,042 $86.78
Key Insight

Materials Engineers in Colorado shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $64,710, while senior-level professionals earn $180,500 — a 179% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($124,030) and experienced level ($164,630), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Colorado Compares to Other States

Where does Colorado rank for Materials Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Colorado's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$204,400
Entry: $126K
+61%
2
$199,250
Entry: $92K
+115%
3
$195,190
Entry: $79K
+146%
4
$187,460
Entry: $67K
+177%
5
$183,880
Entry: $82K
+123%
6
$182,400
Entry: $100K
+81%
7
$180,500
Entry: $64K
+179%
8
$175,320
Entry: $84K
+107%
9
$173,530
Entry: $62K
+176%
10
$171,140
Entry: $80K
+112%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Materials Engineers?

Entry-level Materials Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $64,710 per year, or $5,392 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $94,640. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Materials Engineers make?

Senior Materials Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $180,500 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $164,630. This represents a career premium of 179% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Materials Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Materials Engineerss is 179%. Entry-level professionals start at $64,710, while senior-level can earn up to $180,500 — a difference of $115,790 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Materials Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Materials Engineerss is Colorado, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $180,500 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Materials Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Colorado from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Colorado.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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