Chemical Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Design processes for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fuels, and materials at industrial scale. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $97K – $128K | $124K – $176K | $169K – $243K | 180 |
| New York | $92K – $122K | $118K – $166K | $160K – $230K | 170 |
| San Jose | $96K – $127K | $123K – $174K | $168K – $241K | 178 |
| Seattle | $88K – $116K | $112K – $159K | $153K – $220K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $83K – $109K | $106K – $150K | $144K – $207K | 150 |
| Boston | $85K – $112K | $109K – $153K | $148K – $212K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $86K – $114K | $110K – $156K | $150K – $216K | 150 |
| San Diego | $81K – $106K | $103K – $146K | $140K – $202K | 140 |
| Chicago | $76K – $100K | $97K – $137K | $131K – $189K | 115 |
| Austin | $78K – $103K | $99K – $140K | $135K – $194K | 110 |
| Denver | $76K – $100K | $97K – $137K | $131K – $189K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $72K – $95K | $92K – $130K | $125K – $180K | 105 |
| Dallas | $72K – $95K | $92K – $130K | $125K – $180K | 105 |
| Houston | $71K – $94K | $91K – $129K | $124K – $178K | 102 |
| Miami | $76K – $100K | $97K – $137K | $131K – $189K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $68K – $90K | $87K – $124K | $119K – $171K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $73K – $97K | $94K – $133K | $128K – $184K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $73K – $97K | $94K – $133K | $128K – $184K | 108 |
| Portland | $78K – $103K | $99K – $140K | $135K – $194K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 95 |
| Detroit | $68K – $89K | $86K – $122K | $118K – $169K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $71K – $93K | $90K – $127K | $123K – $176K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $71K – $93K | $90K – $127K | $123K – $176K | 102 |
| Nashville | $71K – $94K | $91K – $129K | $124K – $178K | 105 |
| Orlando | $68K – $90K | $87K – $124K | $119K – $171K | 102 |
| Tampa | $69K – $91K | $88K – $125K | $120K – $173K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $71K – $93K | $90K – $127K | $123K – $176K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 95 |
| Columbus | $67K – $88K | $86K – $121K | $116K – $167K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $65K – $86K | $83K – $117K | $113K – $162K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $66K – $86K | $84K – $118K | $114K – $164K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $68K – $89K | $86K – $122K | $118K – $169K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $67K – $88K | $86K – $121K | $116K – $167K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $72K – $95K | $92K – $130K | $125K – $180K | 108 |
| Richmond | $68K – $90K | $87K – $124K | $119K – $171K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $68K – $89K | $86K – $122K | $118K – $169K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $76K – $100K | $97K – $137K | $131K – $189K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $71K – $93K | $90K – $127K | $123K – $176K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $63K – $84K | $81K – $114K | $110K – $158K | 88 |
| Memphis | $63K – $84K | $81K – $114K | $110K – $158K | 88 |
| Louisville | $65K – $86K | $83K – $117K | $113K – $162K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $66K – $87K | $85K – $120K | $115K – $166K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $65K – $86K | $83K – $117K | $113K – $162K | 95 |
| Tucson | $65K – $86K | $83K – $117K | $113K – $162K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $65K – $86K | $83K – $117K | $113K – $162K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $76K – $100K | $97K – $137K | $131K – $189K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $68K – $90K | $87K – $124K | $119K – $171K | 100 |
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