Materials Engineers in Colorado
Want to work as a Materials Engineers in Colorado? Here’s what the data says. Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
What do Materials Engineers Make in Colorado?
The materials engineers working in Colorado, wages run about $121,430 per year (or about $58.38/hour).Annual wages span from $76,740 at the 10th percentile to $183,630 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,740 | $36.90 |
| 25th percentile | $91,120 | $43.81 |
| Median (50th) | $121,430 | $58.38 |
| 75th percentile | $165,170 | $79.41 |
| 90th percentile | $183,630 | $88.28 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Colorado nationwide is 1.27, indicating that materials engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, materials engineers earn a median of $52,129 per year ($25.06/hour), exceeding the Colorado median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 43,114 materials engineers across the United States. In Colorado alone, about 540 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 310 materials engineers.
Top Colorado Metros for Materials Engineers
These are the Colorado metros with the most materials engineers in Colorado.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 360 | $123,700 |
| Boulder, CO | 100 | $141,320 |
Top States for Materials Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most materials engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,760 |
| Ohio | 1,770 |
| Texas | 1,730 |
| Washington | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | 1,060 |
| Michigan | 1,030 |
| Maryland | 960 |
| Pennsylvania | 780 |
| North Carolina | 770 |
| New York | 750 |
| Florida | 680 |
| Alabama | 660 |
| Virginia | 620 |
| Georgia | 550 |
| Tennessee | 550 |
| Colorado | 540 |
| Utah | 490 |
| Indiana | 470 |
| South Carolina | 440 |
| Connecticut | 400 |
Highest-Paying States for Materials Engineers
Where materials engineers earn the most: materials engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $140,810 |
| Maryland | $130,920 |
| Delaware | $127,640 |
| California | $127,550 |
| Oregon | $127,360 |
| New York | $121,980 |
| Colorado | $121,430 |
| Alaska | $120,540 |
| Texas | $116,170 |
| Wyoming | $114,370 |
Skills
Key materials engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for materials engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Materials Engineers typically:
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Thinking Creatively
- Working with Computers
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Processing Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C++ In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Materials Engineering
- Textile Engineering
- Polymer & Plastics Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Ceramic Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to materials engineers include:
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Industrial Engineers
Also Known As
Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer, Ceramic Design Engineer, Ceramic Engineer, Ceramic Research Engineer, Ceramics Test Engineer, Corrosion Engineer, Design Engineer, Engineer, Extractive Metallurgist, Extrusion Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineer, Forensic Materials Engineer, Foundry Metallurgist, Foundry Process Engineer, Glass Science Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2131.00