Chemical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary
In Australia, a chemical engineer earns about 55% more than a mechanical engineer — $181,820 vs $117,281 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
Mechanical Engineer$117,281/yr
- Monthly
- $9,785
- Hourly
- $56
- Range
- $80,362–$162,459
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Chemical Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $122,902 | $80,362 |
| 25th | $152,396 | $98,821 |
| Median | $181,820 | $117,281 |
| 75th | $217,838 | $139,835 |
| Senior (90th) | $253,855 | $162,459 |
National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a chemical engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in Australia?
- A chemical engineer earns more, at about $262,000 per year vs $169,000 for a mechanical engineer — roughly 55% ($93,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
- A chemical engineer typically earns $177,100–$365,800, while a mechanical engineer earns $115,800–$234,100 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 mechanical engineer about $14,100.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Australia, a chemical engineer earns about $177,100 while a mechanical engineer earns about $115,800 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Australia, a chemical engineer earns about $365,800 while a mechanical engineer earns about $234,100 per year.
- Are chemical engineer and mechanical 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.