Chemical Engineers Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Chemical Engineers in Baton Rouge, LA make a median of $130,350 a year, or about $62.67 an hour. The range runs from $102K at the entry level to $186K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $143,589 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 15.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $130K get you in Baton Rouge?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $102K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K.Top earners bring in $186K or more - a $84K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $161K | +32% | 190 |
| New Mexico | $147K | +21% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $140K | +15% | 210 |
| Texas | $135K | +11% | 2,780 |
| Virginia | $133K | +9% | 1,020 |
| New York | $132K | +9% | 560 |
| Delaware | $131K | +8% | 390 |
| Louisiana | $131K | +8% | 780 |
| Washington | $131K | +7% | 600 |
| Maryland | $130K | +6% | 560 |
| North Dakota | $128K | +5% | 60 |
| Arizona | $125K | +3% | 170 |
| Illinois | $120K | -1% | 490 |
| Massachusetts | $119K | -2% | 1,140 |
| New Jersey | $118K | -3% | 480 |
Track chemical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $130,350 a year - that works out to about $62.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $102,240, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $186,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,907/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chemical engineers salary go in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical engineers salary is worth about $143,589 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.