Chemical Engineers
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Also called: Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Blending Coordinator, Chemical Design Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Chemical Research Engineer
Median pay
$125,040
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$79,420 – $182,880
People employed
21,070
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Chemical Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (41 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What chemical engineers do
- 01Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- 02Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- 03Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- 04Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- 05Design and plan layout of equipment.
- 06Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
Skills that matter most
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from chemical engineers
- Materials Scientists94% · −6%
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers85% · group pay
- Water Resource Specialists77% · group pay
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists72% · group pay
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers70% · −18%
Change into chemical engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Materials Scientists94% · $117,790
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers85% · $171,270
- Food Scientists and Technologists84% · $88,720
- Chemists80% · $91,240
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians77% · $59,920
Majors that lead here
- Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemical Engineering, Other
- Polymer/Plastics Engineering
- Paper Science and Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
- Engineering Chemistry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.