Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Chemical Engineer vs Civil Engineer salary

In Australia, a chemical engineer earns about 57% more than a civil engineer $181,820 vs $115,893 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$181,820/yr
Monthly
$15,129
Hourly
$87
Range
$122,902$253,855
10-yr outlook
+10%
Engineering
Civil Engineer
$115,893/yr
Monthly
$9,646
Hourly
$56
Range
$79,390$160,516
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChemical EngineerCivil Engineer
Entry (10th)$122,902$79,390
25th$152,396$97,642
Median$181,820$115,893
75th$217,838$138,170
Senior (90th)$253,855$160,516

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chemical engineer or civil engineer earn more in Australia?
A chemical engineer earns more, at about $262,000 per year vs $167,000 for a civil engineer — roughly 57% ($95,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A chemical engineer typically earns $177,100–$365,800, while a civil engineer earns $114,400–$231,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about $21,800 and a civil engineer about $13,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a chemical engineer earns about $177,100 while a civil engineer earns about $114,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a chemical engineer earns about $365,800 while a civil engineer earns about $231,300 per year.
Are chemical engineer and civil engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.