Chemical Engineers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 17-2041As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for chemical engineers in the United States is $125,040 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 21,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $79,420 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $97,820 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $125,040 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $157,190 | Experienced |
| 90th | $182,880 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 | $147,420 | 160 |
| Virginia | $136,380 | $133,340 | 790 |
| Alabama | $135,030 | $124,470 | 600 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 | $135,190 | 730 |
| Delaware | $133,670 | $131,390 | 370 |
| Texas | $132,750 | $144,350 | 3,000 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 | $134,630 | 160 |
| New York | $129,060 | $120,480 | 540 |
| Washington | $128,290 | $134,910 | 650 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 | $135,010 | 110 |
| Montana | $127,490 | $126,310 | 80 |
| Maryland | $127,190 | $128,790 | 500 |
| New Jersey | $126,760 | $129,080 | 440 |
| Colorado | $125,800 | $126,060 | 720 |
| Illinois | $121,560 | $123,570 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $118,000 | $118,170 | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $117,590 | $112,070 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $117,410 | $123,550 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $117,170 | $122,160 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $116,970 | $127,520 | 810 |
| Oregon | $116,950 | $121,660 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $115,400 | $117,040 | 80 |
| Indiana | $113,160 | $114,590 | 720 |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 | $115,030 | 50 |
| Ohio | $111,200 | $118,710 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $109,000 | $113,080 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $107,670 | $130,240 | 210 |
| Idaho | $106,740 | $128,840 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $106,740 | $113,460 | 150 |
| Alaska | $106,080 | $121,780 | — |
| Arkansas | $105,270 | $114,140 | 290 |
| Georgia | $103,880 | $112,180 | 330 |
| Michigan | $103,230 | $105,570 | 670 |
| Missouri | $102,320 | $119,110 | 320 |
| Connecticut | $102,270 | $114,410 | 410 |
| Kansas | $102,020 | $115,070 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $101,570 | $106,920 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $98,310 | $107,760 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $97,660 | $98,440 | 110 |
| Utah | $85,520 | $96,460 | — |
| New Hampshire | $73,250 | $90,810 | 40 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a chemical engineers in the US?
The US national median wage for chemical engineers is $125,040 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for chemical engineers in the US?
Pay ranges from $79,420 at the 10th percentile to $182,880 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay chemical engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for chemical engineers include New Mexico ($158,190), Virginia ($136,380), Alabama ($135,030). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does chemical engineers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — New Mexico ($158,190) pays roughly 116% more than New Hampshire ($73,250). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02