Salary distribution
Where Colorado materials engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $91,120 and $165,170, with a median of $121,430.
Materials Engineers in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 16 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $123,415. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $62,733 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $85,198 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $125,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 4 | $135,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Materials Engineers in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC | Researcher II - Chemical Engineering | 2 | $74,928 |
| Apple Inc. | Materials Engineering | 2 | $152,672 |
| Von Ardenne North America Inc | Materials Sales Engineer | 1 | $124,900 |
| USA RARE EARTH, LLC | Senior Magnetics Engineer | 1 | $121,930 |
| Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Technical Professional - Cementing | 1 | $88,587 |
| Peak Energy Technologies, Inc. | Senior Cell Engineer | 1 | $140,000 |
| Solid Power Operating, Inc. | Materials Engineer III | 1 | $130,000 |
| SSR Management, Inc. | Senior Process Engineer | 1 | $140,000 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Research Associate Professor | 1 | $85,280 |
| Tesla, Inc. | Sr. Materials Engineer | 1 | $140,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Materials Sales Engineer at Von Ardenne North America Inc$124,900Colorado SpringsWage Level IIIDecided Sep 15, 2025I-203-25251-293416
- Senior Magnetics Engineer at USA RARE EARTH, LLC$121,930Wheat RidgeWage Level IVDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-131040
- Technical Professional - Cementing at Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.$88,587Fort LuptonWage Level IIDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-002347
- Senior Cell Engineer at Peak Energy Technologies, Inc.$140,000BroomfieldWage Level IIIDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-985194
- Researcher II - Chemical Engineering at Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC$79,989GoldenWage Level IIDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-986723
- Materials Engineer III at Solid Power Operating, Inc.$130,000ThorntonWage Level IVDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-900007
- Senior Process Engineer at SSR Management, Inc.$140,000DenverWage Level IVDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-896835
- Materials Engineering at Apple Inc.$140,608BoulderWage Level IIIDecided Mar 12, 2025I-200-25064-746614
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Materials Engineers pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Materials Engineers in Colorado, by industry
Median offered wage across 15 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $140,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Apple Inc. | 5 | $140,000 |
| Professional services | Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC | 4 | $84,288 |
| Energy and utilities | USA RARE EARTH, LLC | 3 | $125,000 |
| Education | Colorado School of Mines | 2 | $74,006 |
| Transportation and logistics | Transportation Technology Center, Inc, dba MxV Rail | 1 | $81,820 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Production and Processing
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Science
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- 02
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- 03
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- 04
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- 05
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- 06
Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
- 07
Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- 08
Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Colorado
Metro-level salary data for materials engineers in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$123,700
Compare Materials Engineers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Materials Engineers in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Materials Engineers in Colorado is $121,430.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Materials Engineers?
- The Colorado median is +10.4% versus the BLS national figure of $109,979.
- What is the salary range for Materials Engineers in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,740 and the 90th-percentile at $183,630, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Materials Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Materials Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.