Chemical Engineers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Chemical Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA make a median of $122,950 a year, or about $59.11 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $186K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $108,259 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 35.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $123K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim’s Regional Price Parity (113.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About chemical engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $186K or more, a $109K 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 |
| Oregon | $116K | -5% | 210 |
| Indiana | $116K | -5% | 330 |
| Ohio | $115K | -5% | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $114K | -6% | 180 |
| Kentucky | $112K | -8% | 230 |
| Tennessee | $110K | -10% | 450 |
| North Carolina | $110K | -10% | 450 |
| Kansas | $107K | -12% | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $107K | -12% | 970 |
| Idaho | $107K | -12% | 160 |
| Michigan | $107K | -12% | 780 |
| Alaska | $106K | -13% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $106K | -13% | 210 |
| South Carolina | $105K | -14% | 290 |
| Florida | $104K | -15% | 180 |
| Alabama | $104K | -15% | 540 |
| Mississippi | $102K | -16% | 150 |
| Georgia | $102K | -16% | 340 |
| Iowa | $101K | -17% | 60 |
| Missouri | $101K | -17% | 450 |
| Montana | $101K | -17% | 70 |
| Connecticut | $100K | -18% | 380 |
| Arkansas | $99K | -19% | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $93K | -24% | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $92K | -25% | 40 |
| Utah | $81K | -34% | N/A |
| Nevada | $78K | -36% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track chemical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $122,950 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,980, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $186,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,268/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month, which eats 35.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemical engineers salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical engineers salary is worth about $108,259 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.