Chemical Engineer Salary Overview
The Chemical Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $112,100. Compensation typically ranges from $67,600 for entry-level positions to $171,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Chemical Engineer in the US earns between $67,600 and $171,200 per year, with a median of $112,100.
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level chemical engineers earn around $72,865, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $151,335 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $70,623 | $34/hr | $55,321 |
| Mid | $112,100 | $54/hr | $80,685 |
| Senior | $156,940 | $75/hr | $107,288 |
| Lead | $158,061 | $76/hr | $107,950 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Chemical Engineer in each US state.
Pay for chemical engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,440 | $8,576 | $81,808 | 27.0% |
| Alaska | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| Arizona | $112,100 | $16,276 | $2,438 | $8,576 | $84,811 | 24.3% |
| Arkansas | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,706 | $8,576 | $82,542 | 26.4% |
| California | $112,100 | $16,276 | $6,563 | $8,576 | $80,685 | 28.0% |
| Colorado | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,272 | $8,576 | $82,976 | 26.0% |
| Connecticut | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,476 | $8,576 | $81,772 | 27.1% |
| Delaware | $112,100 | $16,276 | $6,168 | $8,576 | $81,081 | 27.7% |
| District of Columbia | $112,100 | $16,276 | $6,688 | $8,576 | $80,561 | 28.1% |
| Florida | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| Georgia | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,495 | $8,576 | $81,753 | 27.1% |
| Hawaii | $112,100 | $16,276 | $8,320 | $8,576 | $78,928 | 29.6% |
| Idaho | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,655 | $8,576 | $81,593 | 27.2% |
| Illinois | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,412 | $8,576 | $81,837 | 27.0% |
| Indiana | $112,100 | $16,276 | $3,419 | $8,576 | $83,829 | 25.2% |
| Iowa | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,260 | $8,576 | $82,989 | 26.0% |
| Kansas | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,733 | $8,576 | $81,516 | 27.3% |
| Kentucky | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,358 | $8,576 | $82,891 | 26.1% |
| Louisiana | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,183 | $8,576 | $83,065 | 25.9% |
| Maine | $112,100 | $16,276 | $6,477 | $8,576 | $80,771 | 27.9% |
| Maryland | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,175 | $8,576 | $82,073 | 26.8% |
| Massachusetts | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,385 | $8,576 | $81,863 | 27.0% |
| Michigan | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,526 | $8,576 | $82,722 | 26.2% |
| Minnesota | $112,100 | $16,276 | $6,172 | $8,576 | $81,076 | 27.7% |
| Mississippi | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,691 | $8,576 | $82,558 | 26.4% |
| Missouri | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,510 | $8,576 | $82,739 | 26.2% |
| Montana | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,506 | $8,576 | $81,742 | 27.1% |
| Nebraska | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,026 | $8,576 | $82,222 | 26.7% |
| Nevada | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| New Hampshire | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| New Jersey | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,015 | $8,576 | $82,234 | 26.6% |
| New Mexico | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,498 | $8,576 | $82,750 | 26.2% |
| New York | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,970 | $8,576 | $81,278 | 27.5% |
| North Carolina | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,471 | $8,576 | $82,778 | 26.2% |
| North Dakota | $112,100 | $16,276 | $1,901 | $8,576 | $85,347 | 23.9% |
| Ohio | $112,100 | $16,276 | $2,453 | $8,576 | $84,795 | 24.4% |
| Oklahoma | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,835 | $8,576 | $82,414 | 26.5% |
| Oregon | $112,100 | $16,276 | $9,284 | $8,576 | $77,965 | 30.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $112,100 | $16,276 | $3,441 | $8,576 | $83,807 | 25.2% |
| Rhode Island | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,089 | $8,576 | $83,159 | 25.8% |
| South Carolina | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,547 | $8,576 | $81,701 | 27.1% |
| South Dakota | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| Tennessee | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| Texas | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| Utah | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,213 | $8,576 | $82,036 | 26.8% |
| Vermont | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,458 | $8,576 | $81,791 | 27.0% |
| Virginia | $112,100 | $16,276 | $5,930 | $8,576 | $81,319 | 27.5% |
| Washington | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
| West Virginia | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,851 | $8,576 | $82,397 | 26.5% |
| Wisconsin | $112,100 | $16,276 | $4,853 | $8,576 | $82,395 | 26.5% |
| Wyoming | $112,100 | $16,276 | $0 | $8,576 | $87,248 | 22.2% |
Top Cities for Chemical Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for chemical engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $123,310 |
| Anchorage, AK | $123,310 |
| Wilmington, DE | $123,310 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $123,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $123,310 |
Calculate Chemical Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Chemical Engineer
Becoming a chemical engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Chemical Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Chemical Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for chemical engineers in the US is $112,100, with a typical range from $67,600 to $171,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for chemical engineers include TX, AK, DE. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level chemical engineers can expect to earn around $72,865 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a chemical engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for chemical engineers is approximately $53.89, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.