Chemical Engineers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Chemical Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $129,040 a year, or about $62.04 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $183K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $118,516 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 29.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $129K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level chemical engineers (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $183K or more, a $94K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $129,040 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $88,500, and experienced chemical engineers can clear $182,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,569/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 29.7% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $118,516 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.