Money · 1 of 5
What chemical engineers make
Median
$125,040
Bottom tenth
$79,420
Top tenth
$182,880
The national median is $125,040 a year, the bottom tenth earn $79,420 or less and the top tenth $182,880 or more (2025 federal wage survey). Refining, oil and gas and pharmaceutical manufacturing pay at the top of that range, especially along the Gulf Coast. Government, consulting and small specialty firms pay below it.