Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Using numbers, measurements, formulas, quantitative reasoning, and mathematical concepts.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained experience in an internship or a cooperative education program. PayThe median annual wage for chemical engineers was $125,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemical engineers was $125,040 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper.
Work Environment
Chemical engineers typically work in an office setting or in laboratories. Most chemical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Chemical Engineer
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained experience in an internship or a cooperative education program.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemical engineers was $125,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Chemical engineers typically work in an office setting or in laboratories. Most chemical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Chemical Engineer
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained experience in an internship or a cooperative education program.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemical engineers was $125,040 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chemical engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about chemical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.