Chemical Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for chemical engineers is $125,040 a year. By state, it ranges from $73,250 in New Hampshire to $158,190 in New Mexico.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $79,420
- 25th percentile
- $97,820
- Median
- $125,040
- 75th percentile
- $157,190
- Top 10%
- $182,880
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 21,070 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $158,190 | +27% | $76,540 | $205,360 | 160 |
| 2 | Virginia | $136,380 | +9% | $92,540 | $176,950 | 790 |
| 3 | Alabama | $135,030 | +8% | $77,750 | $164,700 | 600 |
| 4 | Louisiana | $134,800 | +8% | $75,500 | $177,790 | 730 |
| 5 | Delaware | $133,670 | +7% | $86,810 | $176,650 | 370 |
| 6 | Texas | $132,750 | +6% | $86,920 | $210,460 | 2,610 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $129,210 | +3% | $90,660 | $181,340 | 160 |
| 8 | New York | $129,060 | +3% | $81,520 | $146,180 | 540 |
| 9 | Washington | $128,290 | +3% | $94,160 | $185,360 | 650 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | $127,790 | +2% | $88,610 | $189,870 | 110 |
| 11 | Montana | $127,490 | +2% | $88,640 | $165,230 | 80 |
| 12 | Maryland | $127,190 | +2% | $68,670 | $185,220 | 500 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $126,760 | +1% | $81,040 | $185,190 | 440 |
| 14 | Colorado | $125,800 | +1% | $80,130 | $188,640 | 720 |
| 15 | Illinois | $121,560 | −3% | $79,120 | $176,110 | 520 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $118,000 | −6% | $67,810 | $172,170 | 1,460 |
| 17 | Iowa | $117,590 | −6% | $78,610 | $134,030 | 40 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $117,410 | −6% | $81,020 | $168,610 | 380 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $117,170 | −6% | $89,040 | $161,500 | 190 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $116,970 | −6% | $79,940 | $177,510 | 810 |
| 21 | Oregon | $116,950 | −6% | $83,080 | $166,610 | 140 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $115,400 | −8% | $45,760 | $162,560 | 80 |
| 23 | Indiana | $113,160 | −10% | $89,990 | $135,940 | 720 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $111,590 | −11% | $70,670 | $152,750 | 50 |
| 25 | Ohio | $111,200 | −11% | $76,940 | $169,600 | 1,030 |
| 26 | Florida | $109,000 | −13% | $73,180 | $160,340 | 230 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $107,670 | −14% | $60,320 | $269,800 | 210 |
| 28 | Idaho | $106,740 | −15% | $97,150 | $174,970 | 140 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $106,740 | −15% | $81,990 | $149,430 | 150 |
| 30 | Alaska | $106,080 | −15% | $106,080 | $142,350 | Not published |
| 31 | Arkansas | $105,270 | −16% | $80,480 | $159,150 | 290 |
| 32 | Georgia | $103,880 | −17% | $66,030 | $164,590 | 330 |
| 33 | Michigan | $103,230 | −17% | $63,930 | $155,420 | 670 |
| 34 | Missouri | $102,320 | −18% | $84,300 | $166,270 | 320 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $102,270 | −18% | $86,190 | $165,210 | 410 |
| 36 | Kansas | $102,020 | −18% | $73,730 | $161,350 | 280 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $101,570 | −19% | $77,140 | $146,300 | 390 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $98,310 | −21% | $60,840 | $156,890 | 130 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $97,660 | −22% | $60,740 | $131,410 | 110 |
| 40 | Utah | $85,520 | −32% | $66,620 | $152,760 | Not published |
| 41 | New Hampshire | $73,250 | −41% | $53,930 | $146,170 | 40 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Chemical Engineers salary questions
Which state pays chemical engineers the most?
New Mexico, with a median of $158,190 a year (+27% vs. the national median of $125,040). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays chemical engineers the least?
New Hampshire, with a median of $73,250 a year (−41% vs. national).
Where do most chemical engineers work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 2,610, with a median of $132,750.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.