Chemical Engineers Salary in Decatur, AL
Chemical Engineers in Decatur, AL make a median of $113,180 a year, or about $54.41 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $185K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.21), which stretches that salary to about $129,779 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $961/month, or 13.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $113K get you in Decatur?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Decatur, AL
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $113K.Top earners bring in $185K or more - a $105K 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 Decatur numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in Decatur, AL?
The median is $113,180 a year - that works out to about $54.41 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,530, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $184,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $113K enough to live in Decatur?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,876/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $961/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 14% 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 Decatur?
Decatur has a Regional Price Parity of 87.21 (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 $129,779 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.