Chemical Engineers Salary (2025)
Based on 21,070 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $79,420 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $97,820 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $125,040 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $157,190 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $182,880 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$79K
25th
$98K
Median
$125K
75th
$157K
90th
$183K
Highest Paying States for Chemical Engineers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $147,420 |
| Texas | $144,350 |
| Louisiana | $135,190 |
| Oklahoma | $135,010 |
| Washington | $134,910 |
| West Virginia | $134,630 |
| Virginia | $133,340 |
| Delaware | $131,390 |
| Minnesota | $130,240 |
| New Jersey | $129,080 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Chemical Engineers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New Mexico at an average of $147,420 per year, while New Jersey has an average of $129,080 — a difference of $18,340. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Chemical Engineers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21,070 workers were employed as Chemical Engineerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Architecture and Engineering Occupations. The annual mean wage of $129,980 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 17-2041