Chemical Engineer Salary in United States

Chemical Engineer pay in United States: Washington DC leads, San Antonio trails

The United States national median for a chemical engineer is $129,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $107,000 in San Antonio to $168,000 in Washington DC (1.6×).

Chemical engineers design processes that convert raw materials into useful products. Common screening skills include Process design, Thermodynamics, Safety, and Analysis.

A modeled national band runs about $87,200–$180,100 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +10% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +30% vs the national median; San Antonio sits -17%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A chemical engineer raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby engineering titles on this site include Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, and Aerospace Engineer.