Chemical Engineers Salary in U.S. (2024)
Chemical Engineers in U.S. make a median of $121,860 a year, or about $58.59 an hour. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $182K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $122K get you in U.S.?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K.Top earners bring in $182K or more - a $104K 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 U.S. numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in U.S.?
The median is $121,860 a year - that works out to about $58.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,520, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $182,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,837/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 18% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical engineers salary is worth about $121,860 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.