Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Chemical engineers (SOC 17-2041) employed 21,070 people in May 2025. The median pay is $125,040 a year ($60.12 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $79,420 and the highest-paid 10% more than $182,880. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 1,100 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: New Mexico ($158,190), Virginia ($136,380), Alabama ($135,030). Most jobs: Texas (2,610), California (2,190), Massachusetts (1,460).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Median | $125,040 | $60.12 |
| Mean | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| 75th percentile | $157,190 | $75.57 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $182,880 | $87.92 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 21,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 22,900 |
| Change in jobs | 1,000 |
| Percent change | +4.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 1,100 |
| Self-employed share | 2.4% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 600 | 2.08 | $135,030 | $77,750 | $164,700 | +8% | 10% |
| Arizona | 80 | 0.19 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arkansas | 290 | 1.66 | $105,270 | $80,480 | $159,150 | -16% | 11% |
| California | 2,190 | 0.89 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | 720 | 1.84 | $125,800 | $80,130 | $188,640 | +1% | 17% |
| Connecticut | 410 | 1.80 | $102,270 | $86,190 | $165,210 | -18% | 18% |
| Delaware | 370 | 5.59 | $133,670 | $86,810 | $176,650 | +7% | 14% |
| Florida | 230 | 0.17 | $109,000 | $73,180 | $160,340 | -13% | 20% |
| Georgia | 330 | 0.49 | $103,880 | $66,030 | $164,590 | -17% | 17% |
| Idaho | 140 | 1.17 | $106,740 | $97,150 | $174,970 | -15% | 16% |
| Illinois | 520 | 0.63 | $121,560 | $79,120 | $176,110 | -3% | 13% |
| Indiana | 720 | 1.66 | $113,160 | $89,990 | $135,940 | -10% | 12% |
| Iowa | 40 | 0.20 | $117,590 | $78,610 | $134,030 | -6% | 10% |
| Kansas | 280 | 1.44 | $102,020 | $73,730 | $161,350 | -18% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 190 | 0.70 | $117,170 | $89,040 | $161,500 | -6% | 10% |
| Louisiana | 730 | 2.80 | $134,800 | $75,500 | $177,790 | +8% | 9% |
| Maryland | 500 | 1.35 | $127,190 | $68,670 | $185,220 | +2% | 16% |
| Massachusetts | 1,460 | 2.96 | $118,000 | $67,810 | $172,170 | -6% | 19% |
| Michigan | 670 | 1.13 | $103,230 | $63,930 | $155,420 | -17% | 14% |
| Minnesota | 210 | 0.54 | $107,670 | $60,320 | $269,800 | -14% | 14% |
| Mississippi | 150 | 0.94 | $106,740 | $81,990 | $149,430 | -15% | 11% |
| Missouri | 320 | 0.80 | $102,320 | $84,300 | $166,270 | -18% | 13% |
| Montana | 80 | 1.16 | $127,490 | $88,640 | $165,230 | +2% | 11% |
| Nebraska | 130 | 0.96 | $98,310 | $60,840 | $156,890 | -21% | 13% |
| Nevada | 110 | 0.54 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | 40 | 0.45 | $73,250 | $53,930 | $146,170 | -41% | 26% |
| New Jersey | 440 | 0.75 | $126,760 | $81,040 | $185,190 | +1% | 17% |
| New Mexico | 160 | 1.33 | $158,190 | $76,540 | $205,360 | +27% | 8% |
| New York | 540 | 0.41 | $129,060 | $81,520 | $146,180 | +3% | 15% |
| North Carolina | 380 | 0.56 | $117,410 | $81,020 | $168,610 | -6% | 14% |
| North Dakota | 80 | 1.32 | $115,400 | $45,760 | $162,560 | -8% | 10% |
| Ohio | 1,030 | 1.37 | $111,200 | $76,940 | $169,600 | -11% | 12% |
| Oklahoma | 110 | 0.46 | $127,790 | $88,610 | $189,870 | +2% | 10% |
| Oregon | 140 | 0.53 | $116,950 | $83,080 | $166,610 | -6% | 16% |
| Pennsylvania | 810 | 0.98 | $116,970 | $79,940 | $177,510 | -6% | 13% |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0.70 | $111,590 | $70,670 | $152,750 | -11% | 15% |
| South Carolina | 390 | 1.26 | $101,570 | $77,140 | $146,300 | -19% | 15% |
| Tennessee | 480 | 1.09 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | 2,610 | 1.37 | $132,750 | $86,920 | $210,460 | +6% | 13% |
| Virginia | 790 | 1.42 | $136,380 | $92,540 | $176,950 | +9% | 14% |
| Washington | 650 | 1.36 | $128,290 | $94,160 | $185,360 | +3% | 17% |
| West Virginia | 160 | 1.65 | $129,210 | $90,660 | $181,340 | +3% | 8% |
| Wisconsin | 110 | 0.28 | $97,660 | $60,740 | $131,410 | -22% | 14% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,510 | $138,120 | $99,890 | $217,260 | 3.40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 360 | $134,800 | $75,500 | $177,530 | 6.50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 320 | $134,210 | $81,030 | $202,690 | 0.37 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 640 | $132,820 | $93,250 | $185,840 | 1.51 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 320 | $130,030 | $100,370 | $205,000 | 18.03 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 410 | $128,110 | $79,600 | $196,180 | 1.88 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 790 | $127,770 | $79,940 | $176,650 | 2.00 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 510 | $126,830 | $81,680 | $170,460 | 0.39 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 370 | $110,760 | $78,700 | $179,020 | 0.60 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 910 | $109,460 | $67,810 | $176,120 | 2.48 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 300 | $107,610 | $66,360 | $160,290 | 2.00 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 380 | $102,320 | $84,300 | $159,770 | 2.54 |
The median is $125,040 a year ($60.12 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $79,420 and the highest-paid tenth over $182,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
21,070 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
New Mexico, with a median of $158,190 (among states with published figures).