Chemical Engineer Salary in 2026
Chemical engineers apply chemistry, physics, and math to solve problems involving the production of chemicals, fuels, drugs, and other products. They design and optimize manufacturing processes.
Median Salary
$100,000
$8,333/mo
Entry Level
$70,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$143,000
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
Chemical Engineer Overview
Chemical engineers apply chemistry, physics, and math to solve problems involving the production of chemicals, fuels, drugs, and other products. They design and optimize manufacturing processes.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
33K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$48.08/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,333
Chemical Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Chemical Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Chemical Engineer Salary
$118,000
$9,833/month · $4,538/biweekly · $56.73/hr
Chemical Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Chemical Engineer field.
Entry-level Chemical Engineers earn around $70,000, while the top 10% earn $154,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Chemical Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,000 | +$18,000 |
| New Jersey | $110,000 | +$10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $98,000 | $-2,000 |
| Louisiana | $92,000 | $-8,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $112,000 | +$12,000 |
| Newark | $108,000 | +$8,000 |
| Philadelphia | $102,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $99,000 | $-1,000 |
| Baton Rouge | $92,000 | $-8,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Chemical Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Chemical Engineer from entry level to expert.
$70,000
0-2 years
$107,000
3-7 years
$143,000
8-14 years
$166,000
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Chemical Engineer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Chemical Engineer Salary
How we calculate Chemical Engineer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $100,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Chemical Engineer in the Engineering sector.
- Entry-level ($70,000) and senior-level ($143,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 33K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Engineering sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $100,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Chemical Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Chemical Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Chemical Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Process Design, ASPEN, Chemical Processes), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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