Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Chemical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer salary

In United States, a chemical engineer earns about 5% more than a electrical engineer $129,000 vs $123,000 per year.

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

Pays more
Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$129,000/yr
Monthly
$10,800
Hourly
$62
Range
$87,200$180,100
10-yr outlook
+10%
Engineering
Electrical Engineer
$123,000/yr
Monthly
$10,300
Hourly
$59
Range
$83,100$171,700
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChemical EngineerElectrical Engineer
Entry (10th)$87,200$83,100
25th$108,100$103,100
Median$129,000$123,000
75th$154,500$147,400
Senior (90th)$180,100$171,700

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chemical engineer or electrical engineer earn more in United States?
A chemical engineer earns more, at about $129,000 per year vs $123,000 for a electrical engineer — roughly 5% ($6,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A chemical engineer typically earns $87,200–$180,100, while a electrical engineer earns $83,100–$171,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about $10,800 and a electrical engineer about $10,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a chemical engineer earns about $87,200 while a electrical engineer earns about $83,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a chemical engineer earns about $180,100 while a electrical engineer earns about $171,700 per year.
Are chemical engineer and electrical 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.