Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Design and plan layout of equipment.
Top skills:ScienceCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems Analysis
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Chemical Engineer pay by experience level
Entry level$82,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$101,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$129,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$162,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$189,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+2.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,100
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Chemical Engineer salary by industry
Chemical Manufacturing
6,060 workers
$123,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5,280 workers
$143,500
Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)
4,550 workers
$125,500
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
2,510 workers
$133,000
Scientific Research and Development Services
2,010 workers
$135,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,360 workers
$149,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,360 workers
$149,500
Machinery Manufacturing
1,350 workers
$158,000
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
1,150 workers
$116,500
Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only)
1,140 workers
$163,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Chemical Engineer pays 25% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chemical Engineer make?
The average base salary for a Chemical Engineer in the United States is $134,500 per year, or about $64.66 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $101,000 and $162,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
