Chemical Engineers earn a median of $125,040 per year ($60.12/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.7% through 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2041
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Chemical Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $125,040a year, or $60.12/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $79KTop 10% $183K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,10021,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202521.9K
- Projected 203522.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 21.9K Projected 2035 22.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's91.3%
- Post-bacc certificate4.4%
- Post-master’s certificate4.4%
Highest education held by chemical engineers Segment Value Bachelor's 91.3% Post-bacc certificate 4.4% Post-master’s certificate 4.4%
Also advertised as: Chemical Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Process Control Engineer, Process Engineer.
Pay
How much do Chemical Engineers make?
Every chemical engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$125,040
Middle half earn $97,820 to $157,190
- 10th
- $79,420
- 25th
- $97,820
- 75th
- $157,190
- 90th
- $182,880
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $79,420 |
| 25th | $97,820 |
| Median | $125,040 |
| 75th | $157,190 |
| 90th | $182,880 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $125,040
- Median hourly wage
- $60.12/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $129,980
- People employed
- 21,070
Versus all US occupations
At $125,040, Chemical Engineers earn 145% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $74,060 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 20% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $182,880 or more while the bottom 10% earn $79,420, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 86% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $158,190, and still leads at $171,550 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Chemical Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $158,190 | $171,550 | 160 |
| 2Virginia | $136,380 | $134,891 | 790 |
| 3Alabama | $135,030 | $152,021 | 600 |
| 4Louisiana | $134,800 | $152,822 | 730 |
| 5Delaware | $133,670 | $133,927 | 370 |
| 6Texas | $132,750 | $136,775 | 2,610 |
| 7West Virginia | $129,210 | $144,374 | 160 |
| 8New York | $129,060 | $119,587 | 540 |
| 9Washington | $128,290 | $119,883 | 650 |
| 10Oklahoma | $127,790 | $145,475 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Chemical Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineers | +4.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Chemical Engineers to change 4.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, 5.0% of the 21,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for chemical engineers’ services depends largely on demand for the products that these workers help to develop. For example, environmental and sustainability concerns have led chemistry and manufacturing firms to research alternative fertilizers, resulting in a need for chemical engineers.
Chemical engineers are expected to continue to be needed to design equipment and develop manufacturing processes that conform to changing regulations.
Getting in
How to become a Chemical Engineer
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained practical experience in an internship or a cooperative education program.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as chemical engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree91.3%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.4%
- Post-Master's Certificate4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 91.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.4% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Chemical Engineer do?
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.
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper.
Day-to-day tasks
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
- Develop computer models of chemical processes.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most chemical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They may have to work additional hours to meet production targets or to troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where chemical engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Chemical manufacturing28%
- Engineering services11%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences9%
- Federal government, excluding postal service4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical manufacturing | 28% |
| Engineering services | 11% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 9% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Mathematics3.8
- Speaking3.5
- Active Listening3.3
- Writing3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Analysis3.9
- Systems Evaluation3.9
- Operations Analysis3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.9 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Chemical Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Chemical Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.3
- Investigative5.8
- Conventional4.5
- Enterprising1.9
- Artistic1.8
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Chemical Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Management
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager
$171,270median a year
Most earn $121K to $263K
+5.5%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with chemical engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Chemical Engineer$125,040
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within chemical engineer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Chemical Engineer appears on
Questions
Chemical Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Engineers make?
Chemical Engineers earn a median of $125,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 145% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $60.12/hr. The middle half earn between $97,820 and $157,190. The top 10% earn $182,880 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Chemical Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Chemical Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 91.3% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Chemical Engineer a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Chemical Engineer do?
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper. A core O*NET task: develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Chemical Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Chemical Engineers are New Mexico ($158,190), Virginia ($136,380), Alabama ($135,030) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Chemical Engineer?
O*NET scores Chemical Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.