Chemical Engineer vs Environmental Engineer salary
In New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about 15% more than a environmental engineer — $114,577 vs $99,607 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is NZD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Engineering
Chemical Engineer$114,577/yr
- Monthly
- $9,558
- Hourly
- $55
- Range
- $77,440–$159,947
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Engineering
Environmental Engineer$99,607/yr
- Monthly
- $8,291
- Hourly
- $48
- Range
- $69,149–$136,859
- 10-yr outlook
- +7%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Chemical Engineer | Environmental Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $77,440 | $69,149 |
| 25th | $96,037 | $84,349 |
| Median | $114,577 | $99,607 |
| 75th | $137,262 | $118,261 |
| Senior (90th) | $159,947 | $136,859 |
National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a chemical engineer or environmental engineer earn more in New Zealand?
- A chemical engineer earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $173,000 for a environmental engineer — roughly 15% ($26,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A chemical engineer typically earns $134,500–$277,800, while a environmental engineer earns $120,100–$237,700 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about $16,600 and a environmental engineer about $14,400.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $134,500 while a environmental engineer earns about $120,100 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a chemical engineer earns about $277,800 while a environmental engineer earns about $237,700 per year.
- Are chemical engineer and environmental 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.