Chemical Engineer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$122,000
national median salary
$96,000 to $152,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $125,040 for Chemical Engineers (SOC 17-2041) across the United States, based on 21,070 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$79,420
25th percentile
$97,820
Median
$125,040
75th percentile
$157,190
90th percentile
$182,880
Workers surveyed
21,070
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$121,860
May 2025 release
$125,040
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Chemical Engineers (SOC 17-2041) rather than Chemical Engineerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 17-2041Highest Paying
$172,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$127,000
Baltimore, MD
Lowest Paying
$93,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 17-2041. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Chemical Engineer salary in the United States at $122,000 in 2026, within a range of $96,000 to $152,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $172,000, while Baltimore offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry sector is the top differentiator, with petroleum, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical chemical engineers earning 20 to 35% more than those in food processing or water treatment.
Chemical Engineer salary by city.
Skills that increase Chemical Engineer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Chemical Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $17,080 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$17,080 per year
≈ +$15,860 per year
≈ +$14,640 per year
≈ +$13,420 per year
≈ +$13,420 per year
≈ +$12,200 per year
≈ +$12,200 per year
≈ +$10,980 per year
What you should know.
Industry sector is the top differentiator, with petroleum, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical chemical engineers earning 20 to 35% more than those in food processing or water treatment. Process scale-up experience, Six Sigma certification, and expertise with hazardous materials handling drive additional premiums.
Entry-level chemical engineers start at $76,000 to $88,000. Senior process engineers earn $100,000 to $128,000 after five to eight years. Engineering directors and plant managers reach $140,000 to $185,000 in high-demand industries.
Oil and gas employers add 10 to 20% bonuses tied to production targets. Semiconductor fabs offer equity grants worth $10,000 to $40,000 annually. Shift differentials of 5 to 15% apply for engineers managing 24/7 production facilities.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Chemical Engineers typically earn $110,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Chemical Engineer pay.
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