Chemical Engineers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for chemical engineers in the United States was $125,040 ($60.12 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $79,420 | $38.19 |
| 25th | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Median | $125,040 | $60.12 |
| 75th | $157,190 | $75.57 |
| 90th | $182,880 | $87.92 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 17-2041
- Total U.S. employment: 21,070
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $79,420, median pay is $125,040, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $182,880.
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Chemical Engineers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $135,030 | $64.92 | +8.0% | 600 |
| Alaska | $106,080 | $51.00 | -15.2% | 0 |
| Arizona | — | — | — | 80 |
| Arkansas | $105,270 | $50.61 | -15.8% | 290 |
| California | — | — | — | 2,190 |
| Colorado | $125,800 | $60.48 | +0.6% | 720 |
| Connecticut | $102,270 | $49.17 | -18.2% | 410 |
| Delaware | $133,670 | $64.27 | +6.9% | 370 |
| Florida | $109,000 | $52.41 | -12.8% | 230 |
| Georgia | $103,880 | $49.94 | -16.9% | 330 |
| Idaho | $106,740 | $51.32 | -14.6% | 140 |
| Illinois | $121,560 | $58.44 | -2.8% | 520 |
| Indiana | $113,160 | $54.41 | -9.5% | 720 |
| Iowa | $117,590 | $56.54 | -6.0% | 40 |
| Kansas | $102,020 | $49.05 | -18.4% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $117,170 | $56.33 | -6.3% | 190 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 | $64.81 | +7.8% | 730 |
| Maryland | $127,190 | $61.15 | +1.7% | 500 |
| Massachusetts | $118,000 | $56.73 | -5.6% | 1,460 |
| Michigan | $103,230 | $49.63 | -17.4% | 670 |
| Minnesota | $107,670 | $51.77 | -13.9% | 210 |
| Mississippi | $106,740 | $51.32 | -14.6% | 150 |
| Missouri | $102,320 | $49.19 | -18.2% | 320 |
| Montana | $127,490 | $61.29 | +2.0% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $98,310 | $47.27 | -21.4% | 130 |
| Nevada | — | — | — | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $73,250 | $35.22 | -41.4% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $126,760 | $60.94 | +1.4% | 440 |
| New Mexico | $158,190 | $76.05 | +26.5% | 160 |
| New York | $129,060 | $62.05 | +3.2% | 540 |
| North Carolina | $117,410 | $56.45 | -6.1% | 380 |
| North Dakota | $115,400 | $55.48 | -7.7% | 80 |
| Ohio | $111,200 | $53.46 | -11.1% | 1,030 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 | $61.44 | +2.2% | 110 |
| Oregon | $116,950 | $56.23 | -6.5% | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $116,970 | $56.23 | -6.5% | 810 |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 | $53.65 | -10.8% | 50 |
| South Carolina | $101,570 | $48.83 | -18.8% | 390 |
| Tennessee | — | — | — | 480 |
| Texas | $132,750 | $63.82 | +6.2% | 2,610 |
| Utah | $85,520 | $41.11 | -31.6% | 0 |
| Virginia | $136,380 | $65.57 | +9.1% | 790 |
| Washington | $128,290 | $61.68 | +2.6% | 650 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 | $62.12 | +3.3% | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $97,660 | $46.95 | -21.9% | 110 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for chemical engineers?
The median annual wage for chemical engineers is $125,040 ($60.12 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays chemical engineers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many chemical engineers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 21,070 chemical engineers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do chemical engineers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $60.12. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.