How much does a chemical engineer make?
a year · about $60 an hour
A typical chemical engineer in the United States makes $125,040 a year, about $60 an hour, about 2.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They may start at a computer, checking process data, or in a lab testing a small-scale process. Then they check safety, fix production problems, and may visit a plant to monitor equipment.
Did you know? University of Tulsa chemical engineering professors have made 91-octane gasoline from algae.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $79,420 and $182,880How do you become one?
Study science and math, then earn a four-year chemical engineering bachelor’s degree; internships help, so many start in their early 20s. In the U.S., entry-level jobs need no license; a PE later requires FE and PE exams plus work experience.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, in-demand skills, and whether a PE license is useful for the job. It also varies by employer or industry and location; plant work may require extra hours to meet production goals or fix problems.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Virginia ($136,380), lowest in Michigan ($103,230).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a chemical engineer averages $42,782. Chemical engineer salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $79,420 | $125,040 | $182,880 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $136,380 | about 790 |
| Alabama | $135,030 | about 600 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 | about 730 |
| Texas | $132,750 | about 3,000 |
| New York | $129,060 | about 540 |
Official definition: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2041.00
- ncees.org/licensure/
- www.utulsa.edu/news/chemical-engineers-careers
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY