As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Chemical Engineer I in the United States is $83,624. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $77,115 to $89,700, with most professionals earning between $71,189 and $95,232.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $89,700 | $7,475 | $1,725 | $43 |
| Average | $83,624 | $6,969 | $1,608 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,115 | $6,426 | $1,483 | $37 |
An entry-level Chemical Engineer I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $83,138. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $83,805. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $85,166. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $85,438, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $85,619.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chemical Engineer I | $83,138 |
| Intermediate Level Chemical Engineer I | $83,805 |
| Senior Level Chemical Engineer I | $85,166 |
| Specialist Level Chemical Engineer I | $85,438 |
| Expert Level Chemical Engineer I | $85,619 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 2% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Chemical Engineer I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $81,828 in 2023 to approximately $78,073 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Chemical Engineer I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
