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Chemical engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$125,040median pay per year, or $60.12 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $79,420lowest 10% earn less
  2. $97,82025th percentile
  3. $125,040median
  4. $157,19075th percentile
  5. $182,880top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Chemical engineers had a median pay of $125,040 a year in May 2025[1]. A bachelor's degree is the typical way in, and jobs are projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.7%[2]
Openings per year
1,100[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[3]

How much do chemical engineers make?

The median pay for chemical engineers was $125,040 a year, or $60.12 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980[5]. The average for chemical engineers was $129,980 a year[7].

The table shows how pay spreads from lower to higher.

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[4][8] $79,420 $38.19
25th[4][8] $97,820 $47.03
Median[1] $125,040 $60.12
75th[4][8] $157,190 $75.57
90th[4][8] $182,880 $87.92

The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less than that amount[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover people paid a wage or salary, including part-time workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 2.4% of chemical engineers were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 41 states with published data, New Mexico had the highest median pay for a chemical engineer at $158,190, followed by Virginia at $136,380 and Alabama at $135,030[12]. New Mexico had only 160 jobs, so it is a small market[12].

Texas had the most jobs at 2,610, followed by California at 2,190 and Massachusetts at 1,460[13]. Texas had a median of $132,750 and Massachusetts had $118,000[12]. The lowest median in the list was New Hampshire at $73,250[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Pittsburgh, PA had the highest median at $152,290[14]. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX came next at $138,120[14]. Mobile, AL followed at $137,170[14]. Houston also had the most jobs of any metro area, at 1,510[15].

Show median pay in 41 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Mexico[12]$158,190160
Virginia$136,380790
Alabama$135,030600
Louisiana$134,800730
Delaware$133,670370
Texas$132,7502,610
West Virginia$129,210160
New York$129,060540
Washington$128,290650
Oklahoma$127,790110
Montana$127,49080
Maryland$127,190500
New Jersey$126,760440
Colorado$125,800720
Illinois$121,560520
Massachusetts$118,0001,460
Iowa$117,59040
North Carolina$117,410380
Kentucky$117,170190
Pennsylvania$116,970810
Oregon$116,950140
North Dakota$115,40080
Indiana$113,160720
Rhode Island$111,59050
Ohio$111,2001,030
Florida$109,000230
Minnesota$107,670210
Idaho$106,740140
Mississippi$106,740150
Alaska$106,080n/a
Arkansas$105,270290
Georgia$103,880330
Michigan$103,230670
Missouri$102,320320
Connecticut$102,270410
Kansas$102,020280
South Carolina$101,570390
Nebraska$98,310130
Wisconsin$97,660110
Utah$85,520n/a
New Hampshire$73,25040

How to become a chemical engineer

The typical entry path is a bachelor's degree, with no related work experience or on-the-job training usually needed[3]. In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 91% said a bachelor's degree was required[16].

1) Prepare in high school. Science courses such as chemistry, physics and biology help, and so do math courses including algebra, calculus and trigonometry[17]. 2) Earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field[18]. These programs usually take 4 years[19]. Some schools offer 5-year programs that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree[19]. 3) Look for an accredited program. Employers often prefer graduates of accredited engineering programs[20]. 4) Try an internship or co-op. Some employers prefer candidates who have practical experience from one of these[18]. Some schools offer them as part of the degree[21].

A license is not required for entry-level chemical engineers[22]. Experienced engineers may get a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which lets them oversee other engineers' work, sign off on projects and serve the public directly[23]. State licensure generally calls for a degree from an accredited program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of work experience and a passing score on the PE exam[24]. Each state issues its own license, and some require continuing education to keep it[25].

With experience, chemical engineers may move up to supervise a team or become engineering managers[26]. Employers look for analytical skills and communication skills[27][28].

What chemical engineers do

A chemical engineer designs plant equipment and builds processes for making chemicals and products such as gasoline, plastics and detergents[29]. Tasks reported to O*NET include:

Workers report job titles such as process engineer, project engineer and refinery process engineer[31].

Where they work

Chemical engineers usually work in offices or laboratories. They may also visit industrial plants and refineries to check on operations[32]. Some work with people in other fields such as biotechnology, and with the technicians and mechanics who put designs to use[32].

Chemical manufacturing was the largest employer, at 28% of chemical engineers in 2025[33]. Handling certain chemicals and plant equipment can bring health or safety hazards. Following safety procedures and wearing protective gear such as gloves, goggles and hard hats lowers the risk[34].

Chemical engineers mostly work full time, and some put in over 40 hours in a week[35]. Extra hours can come up when production targets need to be met or a process needs troubleshooting[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of chemical engineers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 21,900 to 22,900 jobs, a gain of about 1,000[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[36]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of 21,070 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[37].

About 1,100 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs that appear when people retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.8% of chemical engineers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay well above the all-occupation median of $50,980 and a typical entry path of a bachelor's degree that usually takes 4 years[5][3][19]. Growth of 4.7% is a little faster than the 3.5% for all occupations, and about 1,100 openings are projected each year[2][36][6]. The work mixes design, data analysis, safety planning and troubleshooting, and it is done in offices and labs, with some visits to plants[30][32]. Pay differs a lot by place, from a $158,190 median in New Mexico to $73,250 in New Hampshire, so local figures matter[12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a chemical engineer make an hour?
The median was $60.12 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38.19 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $87.92[8].
What degree do you need to be a chemical engineer?
The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree, in chemical engineering or a related field[3][18].
How long does it take to become a chemical engineer?
Bachelor's degree programs usually take 4 years[19]. Some schools have 5-year programs that lead to a bachelor's and a master's degree[19].
Is chemical engineering in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That compares with 3.5% for all occupations[36]. About 1,100 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for chemical engineers?
New Mexico had the highest median at $158,190, followed by Virginia at $136,380[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Chemical Engineers in the US was $125,040 per year and $60.12 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Chemical Engineers is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 21,900 to 22,900 jobs (a change of +1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Chemical Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Chemical Engineers: 10th percentile $79,420, 25th percentile $97,820, 75th percentile $157,190, 90th percentile $182,880. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,100 openings for Chemical Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Chemical Engineers was $129,980 per year and $62.49 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Chemical Engineers: 10th percentile $38.19, 25th percentile $47.03, 75th percentile $75.57, 90th percentile $87.92. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 2.4% of Chemical Engineers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Chemical Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Chemical Engineers jobs: Texas 2,610; California 2,190; Massachusetts 1,460; Ohio 1,030; Pennsylvania 810. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Chemical Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Pittsburgh, PA $152,290; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $138,120; Mobile, AL $137,170; New Orleans-Metairie, LA $136,870; Lake Charles, LA $136,810; Baton Rouge, LA $134,800; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $134,210; St. Louis, MO-IL $133,450. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Chemical Engineers jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,510 (median $138,120); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 910 (median $109,460); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 790 (median $127,770); San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 670; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 640 (median $132,820); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 620. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 17-2041.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 91% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Chemical Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Chemical Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 17-2041.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Chemical Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Process Control Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Refinery Process Engineer. O*NET OnLine
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of chemical engineers in 2025: Chemical manufacturing 28%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 21,070 people were employed as Chemical Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Chemical Engineers: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.