SOC 19-2099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physical Scientists, All Other — Boulder
Boulder, CO · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Boulder, CO comes to $141,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $122,570 by 15.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Boulder, CO comes to $141,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $122,570 by 15.3%. Pay ranges from under $97,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $195,190 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $121,700 to $176,180.
Within the state, Denver records the highest median at $140,980. Of the 414 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 37th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $97,200 | −20.7% |
| 25th | $121,700 | −0.7% |
| Median (50th) | $141,320 | +15.3% |
| 75th | $176,180 | +43.7% |
| 90th | $195,190 | +59.2% |
| Mean | $147,980 | +20.7% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | $140,980 | 420 | |
| 2 | Colorado Springs | $129,630 | 30 | |
| 3 | Fort Collins | $118,560 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Boulder run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $141,320 buys what $137,071 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 11.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$141,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$137,071US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $141,320 a year, 15.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $97,200 to $195,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Denver, at $140,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physical Scientists, All Other in Boulder, CO?
The median annual wage is $141,320, or $67.94 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $122,570, so pay in Boulder, CO is 15.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Boulder, CO earns more than $195,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $97,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Denver, at $140,980 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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