Chemical Engineers
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Median pay: $125,040/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +2.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
• Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
• Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
• Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Design and plan layout of equipment.
• Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
• Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
• Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
What's the median pay for Chemical Engineers?
The median pay for Chemical Engineers is $125,040 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Chemical Engineers?
Employment for Chemical Engineers is projected to change +2.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Chemical Engineers?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Chemical Engineers?
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.