Chemical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary
In United Kingdom, a chemical engineer earns about 39% more than a mechanical engineer — $159,306 vs $114,861 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is GBP). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Engineering
Chemical Engineer$159,306/yr
- Monthly
- $13,253
- Hourly
- $76
- Range
- $107,632–$222,359
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Engineering
Mechanical Engineer$114,861/yr
- Monthly
- $9,639
- Hourly
- $55
- Range
- $78,716–$159,038
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Chemical Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $107,632 | $78,716 |
| 25th | $133,469 | $96,788 |
| Median | $159,306 | $114,861 |
| 75th | $190,899 | $136,950 |
| Senior (90th) | $222,359 | $159,038 |
National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a chemical engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in United Kingdom?
- A chemical engineer earns more, at about £119,000 per year vs £85,800 for a mechanical engineer — roughly 39% (£33,200) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
- A chemical engineer typically earns £80,400–£166,100, while a mechanical engineer earns £58,800–£118,800 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about £9,900 and a mechanical engineer about £7,200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a chemical engineer earns about £80,400 while a mechanical engineer earns about £58,800 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a chemical engineer earns about £166,100 while a mechanical engineer earns about £118,800 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.