How much does a chemical engineer make?
The median chemical engineer in the United States earns $121,860 per year, about $58.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemical engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2041.
Chemical engineer salary range
Pay for chemical engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $78,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $182,150. The average (mean) wage of $128,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $96,040 | $46.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $121,860 | $58.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $152,290 | $73.22 | |
| 90th percentile | $182,150 | $87.57 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemical engineers (SOC 17-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Chemical engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemical engineers earn the most in Oklahoma at $160,990 a year, and the least in Nevada at $78,220. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $160,990 | 190 |
| New Mexico | $147,290 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $139,730 | 210 |
| Texas | $135,160 | 2,780 |
| Virginia | $132,550 | 1,020 |
| New York | $132,480 | 560 |
| Colorado | $131,740 | 850 |
| Delaware | $131,330 | 390 |
| Louisiana | $131,180 | 780 |
| Washington | $130,830 | 600 |
| Maryland | $129,710 | 560 |
| North Dakota | $127,970 | 60 |
| Arizona | $125,050 | 170 |
| Illinois | $120,360 | 490 |
| Massachusetts | $119,260 | 1,140 |
| New Jersey | $118,340 | 480 |
| Oregon | $115,800 | 210 |
| Indiana | $115,570 | 330 |
| Ohio | $115,190 | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $114,060 | 180 |
| Kentucky | $112,390 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $110,150 | 450 |
| North Carolina | $109,940 | 450 |
| Kansas | $107,200 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,040 | 970 |
| Idaho | $106,980 | 160 |
| Michigan | $106,690 | 780 |
| Alaska | $106,360 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $105,560 | 210 |
| South Carolina | $104,660 | 290 |
| Florida | $104,000 | 180 |
| Alabama | $103,620 | 540 |
| Mississippi | $102,470 | 150 |
| Georgia | $102,360 | 340 |
| Iowa | $101,080 | 60 |
| Missouri | $101,010 | 450 |
| Montana | $100,900 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $99,990 | 380 |
| Arkansas | $99,020 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $92,530 | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $91,770 | 40 |
| Utah | $80,820 | N/A |
| Nevada | $78,220 | 50 |
State median wages for chemical engineers (SOC 17-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chemical engineers
The BLS projects employment of chemical engineers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 21,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 22,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for chemical engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chemical engineer
The typical entry-level education for chemical engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemical engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oklahoma, $160,990) and the lowest (Nevada, $78,220) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,330 people work as chemical engineers in the United States. At $121,860 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemical engineer salary FAQ
How much does a chemical engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chemical engineer is $58.59. The middle half of chemical engineers earn between $46.17 and $73.22 per hour.
What is the highest chemical engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemical engineers earn more than $182,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemical engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemical engineer is $121,860. The average (mean) wage of $128,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chemical engineer a well paid job?
At $121,860 a year, a chemical engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,330 people work as chemical engineers in the United States.
Which state pays chemical engineers the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median salary for chemical engineers at $160,990 a year. New Mexico ($147,290) and West Virginia ($139,730) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a chemical engineer a good career?
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemical engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemical engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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