Chemical Engineers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Chemical Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $135,830 a year, or about $65.3 an hour. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $122,226 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 28.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About chemical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.Top earners bring in $177K or more - a $98K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $135,830 a year - that works out to about $65.3 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,990, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $177,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,633/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $122,226 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.