# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2041.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $125,040 (10th percentile $79,420, 90th percentile $182,880)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.7%
- Openings a year: 1,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 88 |
| Investigative (I) | 79 |
| Artistic (A) | 13 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 59 |

## What you'd do

- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 93/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 88/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 84/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 83/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 80/100)
- Processing Information (importance 79/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 78/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 71/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 70/100)

## 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

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1407) (CIP 1407, 214 colleges)
- Polymer/Plastics Engineering (CIP 1432, 18 colleges)
- Biochemical Engineering (CIP 1443, 9 colleges)
- Ceramic Sciences and Engineering (CIP 1406, 6 colleges)
- Engineering Chemistry (CIP 1444, 3 colleges)
- Paper Science and Engineering (CIP 1440, 3 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Chemical Engineering | $103,310 | $122,093 | not reported |
| [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vanderbilt-university-3113) | Chemical Engineering | $84,790 | $121,641 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Chemical Engineering | $89,950 | $121,027 | $16,167 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Chemical Engineering | $90,501 | $116,165 | $13,500 |
| [Lafayette College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lafayette-college-1414) | Chemical Engineering | $76,625 | $115,726 | not reported |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Chemical Engineering | $93,355 | $115,423 | $15,438 |
| [Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College LSU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college-lsu-1541) | Chemical Engineering | $86,700 | $114,226 | $15,076 |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend IN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Chemical Engineering | $84,581 | $113,614 | $19,000 |

## Related careers

- [Materials Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-engineers): $112,860 median pay
- [Manufacturing Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/manufacturing-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Materials Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-scientists): $117,790 median pay
- [Chemists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemists): $91,240 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Industrial Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineers): $102,440 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.