Chemical engineer salary in United States
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in the United States?
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The average salary for a chemical engineer is $101,745 per year in the United States. 834 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated September 28, 2026).
What Does a Chemical Engineer Do?
- Researching existing manufacturing processes: Chemical engineers meet with teams or clients to determine manufacturing needs and goals. They research existing processes and consider methods for improving manufacturing productivity, lowering costs or meeting other objectives.
- Designing new equipment and processes: After conducting research, chemical engineers use chemical reactions to develop new ways to separate the basic components of elements like liquids and gases. They also design and use equipment to perform these processes.
- Testing and troubleshooting manufacturing designs: Once they complete the research and development phases, chemical engineers build prototypes and test their designs. They resolve problems with the processes or equipment and develop modified designs.
- Advising others about safety protocols: Because they work with chemicals and processes that may be hazardous, chemical engineers oversee safety procedures and comply with environmental regulations. They may advise colleagues about protocols or change equipment designs to eliminate safety issues.
- Collaborating with engineering teams: Chemical engineers often undertake large projects with teams. They work closely and communicate regularly with other chemical engineers, project managers and manufacturing colleagues.
Highest paying companies for Chemical Engineer in United States
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Looking to Hire?
Highest paying cities for Chemical Engineers near United States
Where can a Chemical Engineer earn more?
Compare salaries for Chemical Engineers in different locations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Chemical Engineer
The average salary for a Chemical Engineer is $101,745 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 834 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 28, 2026.
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Chemical Engineer salaries typically range between a low of $66,645 and a high of $155,331 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.
Some of the highest-paying cities for Chemical Engineer include Butte, MT at $129,642 per year, Greenville, NC at $123,142 per year, and Houston, TX at $111,947 per year.
Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Chemical Engineer include Magnit Global ($332,800 per year) and North Wind Group ($234,000 per year).
Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Chemical Engineer salary compares to related positions: