SOC 17-2041.00Bright outlook

    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.

    Median pay
    $125,040
    Growth
    +4.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    1,100
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $79,420
    Median
    $125,040
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $182,880
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    21,070 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Chemical engineers design equipment and create processes to manufacture products like plastics, paper, and gasoline. The career offers a median annual pay of $125,040, with opportunities in many industrial sectors.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What chemical engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve practical production problems. On a daily basis, these professionals design chemical plant equipment and devise systems for manufacturing detergents, synthetic rubber, cement, and pulp. The work is highly realistic and analytical, requiring professionals to gather information, analyze data, and monitor complex industrial processes to ensure everything runs safely and complies with standards.

    Succeeding in this field requires strong skills in critical thinking, complex problem solving, and science. Engineers spend significant time working with computers, processing information, and communicating their findings to supervisors and peers. They must combine a deep knowledge of engineering, technology, and production processes with work styles like attention to detail, cautiousness, and intellectual curiosity. Because they design systems that handle chemical reactions, being dependable and highly organized is essential.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree alongside several years of related on-the-job experience. Students preparing for this field usually major in chemical engineering, polymer and plastics engineering, biochemical engineering, ceramic sciences and engineering, engineering chemistry, or paper science and engineering.

    While gaining experience, professionals can pursue industry certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples include the Certified Chemical Engineer credential from the National Certification Commission in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the Fundamentals of Engineering - Chemical designation from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, or the Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst certification from the International Council for Machinery Lubrication. Additionally, some states list licensing requirements for individuals performing this work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    According to 2025 data, chemical engineers earn a median annual pay of $125,040. Individual earnings vary based on experience and industry, with the lowest 10% earning less than $79,420 and the highest 10% earning more than $182,880. There are 21,070 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 4.7%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 1,100 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    88 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    79 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    13 / 100
    Social (S)
    0 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    14 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    59 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    93
    Working with Computers
    88
    Getting Information
    85
    Analyzing Data or Information
    84
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    83
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    80
    Processing Information
    79
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    78
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    71
    Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    70
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Science
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Systems Analysis
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Mathematics
    • Operations Analysis

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Physics
    • Production and Processing
    • English Language
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mechanical
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Category Flexibility
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Near Vision

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Dependability
    • Innovation
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Adaptability
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Absorption and Adsorption Engineer · Blending Coordinator · Chemical Design Process Engineer · Chemical Engineer · Chemical Process Engineer · Chemical Research Engineer · Chemical Test Engineer · Control Systems Engineer · Controls Engineer · Development Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to chemical engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Chemical Engineers$125,040 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $103,310
      4 yrs after
      $122,093
      Median debt
      Not reported
    2. 2Vanderbilt University logo
      Vanderbilt University

      Nashville, TN · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $84,790
      4 yrs after
      $121,641
      Median debt
      Not reported
    3. 3University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $89,950
      4 yrs after
      $121,027
      Median debt
      $16,167
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $90,501
      4 yrs after
      $116,165
      Median debt
      $13,500
    5. 5Lafayette College logo
      Lafayette College

      Easton, PA · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $76,625
      4 yrs after
      $115,726
      Median debt
      Not reported
    6. 6The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $93,355
      4 yrs after
      $115,423
      Median debt
      $15,438
    7. 7
      Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College LSU

      Baton Rouge, LA · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $86,700
      4 yrs after
      $114,226
      Median debt
      $15,076
    8. 8University of Notre Dame-South Bend IN logo
      University of Notre Dame-South Bend IN

      Notre Dame, IN · Chemical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $84,581
      4 yrs after
      $113,614
      Median debt
      $19,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What chemical engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering, Other
    • Engineering Chemistry
    • Paper Science and Engineering
    • Polymer/Plastics Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    53 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about chemical engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for chemical engineers?

    People in this field are also called chemical process engineers, chemical research engineers, control systems engineers, and development engineers. Other titles include absorption and adsorption engineer, blending coordinator, and chemical test engineer.

    What college majors are most relevant to this career?

    Most students major in chemical engineering or biochemical engineering. Other related college majors include polymer and plastics engineering, ceramic sciences and engineering, engineering chemistry, and paper science and engineering.

    What are some related careers I could explore?

    If you are interested in this field, you might also consider becoming a materials engineer, manufacturing engineer, materials scientist, or chemist. Other closely related options include industrial engineers and biofuels or biodiesel technology and product development managers.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.