Chemical engineer salary
BLS occupation: Chemical Engineers · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $125,040 a year, US
Median hourly pay $60.12 an hour
Middle half earn $97,820–$157,190 25th to 75th percentile
Chemical engineers employed 21,070 +4.7% projected by 2035
How much does a chemical engineer make?
- The median chemical engineer salary in the US is $125,040 a year ($60.12 an hour): half of the 21,070 chemical engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $129,980.
- The middle half earn between $97,820 and $157,190. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $79,420 and the top 10% more than $182,880.
- That is 2.5 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- New Mexico pays chemical engineers the most (median $158,190), followed by Virginia ($136,380) and Alabama ($135,030). New Hampshire pays the least ($73,250).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Mexico, where the median is worth $171,550 in typical US prices, then Louisiana and Alabama.
- In 74 of the 77 metro areas with data, the median chemical engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of chemical engineers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what chemical engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Chemical engineer salary range
Half of chemical engineers earn between $97,820 and $157,190 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $79,420
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $97,820
Median Yearly pay: $125,040
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $157,190
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $182,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $79,420 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $97,820 |
| Median | $125,040 |
| Top 25% earn over | $157,190 |
| Top 10% earn over | $182,880 |
Chemical engineer salary by state
New Mexico pays chemical engineers the most; New Hampshire the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($125,040), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 median |
| Virginia | $136,380 median |
| Alabama | $135,030 median |
| Louisiana | $134,800 median |
| Delaware | $133,670 median |
| Texas | $132,750 median |
| West Virginia | $129,210 median |
| New York | $129,060 median |
| Washington | $128,290 median |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 median |
| Montana | $127,490 median |
| Maryland | $127,190 median |
| New Jersey | $126,760 median |
| Colorado | $125,800 median |
| Illinois | $121,560 median |
| Massachusetts | $118,000 median |
| Iowa | $117,590 median |
| North Carolina | $117,410 median |
| Kentucky | $117,170 median |
| Pennsylvania | $116,970 median |
| Oregon | $116,950 median |
| North Dakota | $115,400 median |
| Indiana | $113,160 median |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 median |
| Ohio | $111,200 median |
| Florida | $109,000 median |
| Minnesota | $107,670 median |
| Idaho | $106,740 median |
| Mississippi | $106,740 median |
| Alaska | $106,080 median |
| Arkansas | $105,270 median |
| Georgia | $103,880 median |
| Michigan | $103,230 median |
| Missouri | $102,320 median |
| Connecticut | $102,270 median |
| Kansas | $102,020 median |
| South Carolina | $101,570 median |
| Nebraska | $98,310 median |
| Wisconsin | $97,660 median |
| Utah | $85,520 median |
| New Hampshire | $73,250 median |
Where chemical engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Chemical engineers' pay goes furthest in New Mexico once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $171,550 |
| Louisiana | $152,822 |
| Alabama | $152,021 |
| Oklahoma | $145,475 |
| West Virginia | $144,374 |
| Texas | $136,775 |
| Virginia | $134,891 |
| Montana | $134,703 |
| Iowa | $133,987 |
| Delaware | $133,927 |
Chemical engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 | $76.05 | $76,540 | $205,360 | 160 | $171,550 |
| Virginia | $136,380 | $65.57 | $92,540 | $176,950 | 790 | $134,891 |
| Alabama | $135,030 | $64.92 | $77,750 | $164,700 | 600 | $152,021 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 | $64.81 | $75,500 | $177,790 | 730 | $152,822 |
| Delaware | $133,670 | $64.26 | $86,810 | $176,650 | 370 | $133,927 |
| Texas | $132,750 | $63.82 | $86,920 | $210,460 | 2,610 | $136,775 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 | $62.12 | $90,660 | $181,340 | 160 | $144,374 |
| New York | $129,060 | $62.05 | $81,520 | $146,180 | 540 | $119,587 |
| Washington | $128,290 | $61.68 | $94,160 | $185,360 | 650 | $119,883 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 | $61.44 | $88,610 | $189,870 | 110 | $145,475 |
| Montana | $127,490 | $61.29 | $88,640 | $165,230 | 80 | $134,703 |
| Maryland | $127,190 | $61.15 | $68,670 | $185,220 | 500 | $121,181 |
| New Jersey | $126,760 | $60.94 | $81,040 | $185,190 | 440 | $116,502 |
| Colorado | $125,800 | $60.48 | $80,130 | $188,640 | 720 | $122,074 |
| Illinois | $121,560 | $58.44 | $79,120 | $176,110 | 520 | $121,611 |
| Massachusetts | $118,000 | $56.73 | $67,810 | $172,170 | 1,460 | $111,577 |
| Iowa | $117,590 | $56.53 | $78,610 | $134,030 | 40 | $133,987 |
| North Carolina | $117,410 | $56.45 | $81,020 | $168,610 | 380 | $124,473 |
| Kentucky | $117,170 | $56.33 | $89,040 | $161,500 | 190 | $129,959 |
| Pennsylvania | $116,970 | $56.24 | $79,940 | $177,510 | 810 | $119,881 |
| Oregon | $116,950 | $56.23 | $83,080 | $166,610 | 140 | $113,147 |
| North Dakota | $115,400 | $55.48 | $45,760 | $162,560 | 80 | $129,723 |
| Indiana | $113,160 | $54.40 | $89,990 | $135,940 | 720 | $121,248 |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 | $53.65 | $70,670 | $152,750 | 50 | $109,102 |
| Ohio | $111,200 | $53.46 | $76,940 | $169,600 | 1,030 | $119,861 |
| Florida | $109,000 | $52.40 | $73,180 | $160,340 | 230 | $105,402 |
| Minnesota | $107,670 | $51.76 | $60,320 | $269,800 | 210 | $109,176 |
| Idaho | $106,740 | $51.32 | $97,150 | $174,970 | 140 | $111,777 |
| Mississippi | $106,740 | $51.32 | $81,990 | $149,430 | 150 | $122,756 |
| Alaska | $106,080 | $51.00 | $106,080 | $142,350 | – | $103,635 |
| Arkansas | $105,270 | $50.61 | $80,480 | $159,150 | 290 | $121,088 |
| Georgia | $103,880 | $49.94 | $66,030 | $164,590 | 330 | $107,879 |
| Michigan | $103,230 | $49.63 | $63,930 | $155,420 | 670 | $107,289 |
| Missouri | $102,320 | $49.19 | $84,300 | $166,270 | 320 | $112,666 |
| Connecticut | $102,270 | $49.17 | $86,190 | $165,210 | 410 | $98,707 |
| Kansas | $102,020 | $49.05 | $73,730 | $161,350 | 280 | $113,270 |
| South Carolina | $101,570 | $48.83 | $77,140 | $146,300 | 390 | $108,342 |
| Nebraska | $98,310 | $47.26 | $60,840 | $156,890 | 130 | $109,108 |
| Wisconsin | $97,660 | $46.95 | $60,740 | $131,410 | 110 | $103,789 |
| Utah | $85,520 | $41.12 | $66,620 | $152,760 | – | $86,503 |
| New Hampshire | $73,250 | $35.22 | $53,930 | $146,170 | 40 | $70,321 |
BLS does not publish pay for chemical engineers in 10 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Chemical engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes chemical engineer pay: 77 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Albuquerque, NM $163,380
- Pittsburgh, PA $152,290
- Fort Collins, CO $139,220
- Houston, TX $138,120
- Mobile, AL $137,170
- New Orleans, LA $136,870
- Lake Charles, LA $136,810
- Trenton, NJ $135,110
- Baton Rouge, LA $134,800
- Los Angeles, CA $134,210
Where the pay goes furthest
- Albuquerque, NM $170,996
- Pittsburgh, PA $160,862
- Lake Charles, LA $159,356
- Mobile, AL $155,702
- Baton Rouge, LA $148,491
- New Orleans, LA $147,813
- Toledo, OH $145,164
- Wichita, KS $144,784
- Beaumont, TX $144,204
- Tulsa, OK $142,758
All 77 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $163,380 | 80 | $170,996 | 11% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $152,290 | 110 | $160,862 | 12% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $139,220 | 40 | $137,667 | 17% |
| Houston, TX | $138,120 | 1,510 | $140,040 | 14% |
| Mobile, AL | $137,170 | 150 | $155,702 | 11% |
| New Orleans, LA | $136,870 | 190 | $147,813 | 14% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $136,810 | 100 | $159,356 | 12% |
| Trenton, NJ | $135,110 | 40 | $130,946 | 22% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $134,800 | 360 | $148,491 | 12% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $134,210 | 320 | $118,178 | 26% |
| Rochester, NY | $133,740 | – | $137,827 | 14% |
| St. Louis, MO | $133,450 | 110 | $140,344 | 13% |
| Washington, DC | $132,820 | 640 | $121,983 | 22% |
| Toledo, OH | $132,760 | 70 | $145,164 | 11% |
| Portland, OR | $131,690 | 70 | $124,918 | 16% |
| Dallas, TX | $130,520 | 130 | $126,608 | 15% |
| Kennewick, WA | $130,030 | 320 | $129,927 | 16% |
| Beaumont, TX | $129,850 | 140 | $144,204 | 12% |
| Austin, TX | $129,790 | 60 | $132,350 | 15% |
| Charleston, SC | $129,070 | 50 | $127,840 | 19% |
| Albany, NY | $129,060 | 40 | $129,623 | 16% |
| Wichita, KS | $128,780 | – | $144,784 | 11% |
| Baltimore, MD | $128,610 | 180 | $123,087 | 18% |
| Denver, CO | $128,110 | 410 | $121,108 | 18% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $127,770 | 790 | $124,588 | 18% |
| Tulsa, OK | $127,360 | 50 | $142,758 | 13% |
| New York, NY | $126,830 | 510 | $112,675 | 34% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $126,690 | 100 | $136,709 | 13% |
| Boulder, CO | $125,800 | 190 | $119,579 | 21% |
| Seattle, WA | $125,200 | 230 | $112,658 | 22% |
| Dayton, OH | $123,860 | 50 | $133,622 | 13% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $122,730 | 170 | $117,084 | 17% |
| Evansville, IN | $120,990 | 60 | $132,189 | 11% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $118,010 | – | $123,318 | 16% |
| Durham, NC | $117,440 | 110 | $120,362 | 17% |
| Richmond, VA | $117,150 | 60 | $119,714 | 17% |
| Charlotte, NC | $115,890 | 110 | $119,047 | 18% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $114,800 | 100 | $120,152 | 17% |
| Buffalo, NY | $112,770 | 70 | $117,660 | 15% |
| Miami, FL | $111,980 | 50 | $98,095 | 28% |
| Peoria, IL | $111,880 | 30 | $122,634 | 12% |
| Raleigh, NC | $111,210 | 90 | $113,298 | 18% |
| Louisville, KY | $110,960 | 40 | $119,217 | 14% |
| Columbus, OH | $110,860 | 170 | $116,121 | 17% |
| Springfield, MA | $110,770 | 40 | $115,312 | 21% |
| Chicago, IL | $110,760 | 370 | $106,916 | 23% |
| Tampa, FL | $110,000 | 30 | $109,030 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $109,460 | 910 | $101,103 | 33% |
| Columbus, IN | $109,190 | 40 | $117,405 | 15% |
| Decatur, AL | $109,160 | 60 | $125,166 | 12% |
| Akron, OH | $108,710 | 40 | $116,429 | 14% |
| Memphis, TN | $108,570 | 30 | $117,782 | 15% |
| Cleveland, OH | $108,350 | 240 | $115,360 | 16% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $107,610 | 300 | $112,834 | 17% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $107,240 | 80 | $100,352 | 32% |
| Providence, RI | $106,950 | 80 | $105,087 | 24% |
| Riverside, CA | $106,200 | – | $99,773 | 29% |
| Detroit, MI | $104,230 | 220 | $103,920 | 17% |
| Worcester, MA | $104,060 | 260 | $101,499 | 24% |
| Atlanta, GA | $103,520 | 230 | $103,460 | 21% |
| New Haven, CT | $102,850 | 60 | $98,366 | 24% |
| Little Rock, AR | $102,590 | 60 | $114,800 | 14% |
| Kansas City, MO | $102,320 | 380 | $110,565 | 18% |
| Norwich, CT | $101,750 | 50 | $101,299 | 25% |
| Huntsville, AL | $101,480 | 60 | $109,034 | 16% |
| Hartford, CT | $101,410 | 180 | $98,700 | 24% |
| Reading, PA | $100,190 | 50 | $103,225 | 19% |
| Omaha, NE | $98,480 | 90 | $107,147 | 17% |
| Gulfport, MS | $98,350 | 40 | $109,270 | 17% |
| Ogden, UT | $98,090 | 80 | $97,749 | 20% |
| Madison, WI | $97,190 | – | $99,900 | 22% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $96,190 | 50 | $101,423 | 16% |
| Greenville, SC | $86,820 | 60 | $93,095 | 22% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $85,520 | – | $84,784 | 23% |
| Provo, UT | $81,840 | 90 | $83,313 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $78,660 | 50 | $77,974 | 29% |
| Lansing, MI | $66,230 | 50 | $69,722 | 24% |
What the median chemical engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $125,040 |
| Month | $10,420 |
| Every two weeks | $4,809 |
| Week | $2,405 |
| Hour | $60.12 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a chemical engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,100 |
| Self-employed | 2.4% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architect | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about chemical engineer pay
How much does a chemical engineer make an hour?
The median is $60.12 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38.19 and the top 10% over $87.92.
How much does a chemical engineer make a month?
About $10,420 a month before taxes at the median salary of $125,040, or $4,809 every two weeks.
What state pays chemical engineers the most?
New Mexico, with a median of $158,190. Virginia ($136,380), Alabama ($135,030), Louisiana ($134,800) and Delaware ($133,670) follow.
Where do chemical engineers make the most after cost of living?
New Mexico: its median of $158,190 is worth $171,550 at typical US prices. Louisiana, Alabama and Oklahoma come next.
How much do entry-level chemical engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of chemical engineers earn under $79,420 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $97,820, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a chemical engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-2041 (Chemical Engineers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.