Chemical engineers
SOC Code: 17-2041Also known as:
Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Blending Coordinator, Chemical Design Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$121,860
+2.6% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
22K
Current Jobs
What Chemical engineers Do
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.
💰 Salary
$121,860
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+2.6%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
21,600
Projected Employment (2034)
22,100
Related Careers
Architectural and engineering managers
$167,740 •
+3.8% growth
Industrial engineers
$101,140 •
+11.0% growth
Materials engineers
$108,310 •
+5.7% growth
Materials scientists
$104,160 •
+4.9% growth
Top Skills Required
Science
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Complex Problem Solving
Active Learning
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
- Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Chemical engineers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a chemical engineers:
Chemical Engineering
10,624 degrees awarded •
190 colleges offer this program
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
297 degrees awarded •
16 colleges offer this program
Polymer/Plastics Engineering
264 degrees awarded •
14 colleges offer this program
Biochemical Engineering
126 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
77 degrees awarded •
4 colleges offer this program
Paper Science and Engineering
46 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Engineering Chemistry
25 degrees awarded •
2 colleges offer this program
Chemical Engineering, Other
18 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Chemical engineers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become chemical engineers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do chemical engineers make?
The median annual salary for chemical engineers is $121,860.
What education do chemical engineers need?
Most chemical engineers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Chemical Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Polymer/Plastics Engineering.
Is becoming chemical engineers a good career choice?
Chemical engineers is projected to see +2.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for chemical engineers?
Top colleges for aspiring chemical engineers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, The University of Texas at Austin.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to chemical engineers?
Chemical engineers may also be known as: Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Blending Coordinator, Chemical Design Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Chemical Research Engineer, Chemical Test Engineer, Controls Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Explosives Engineer, Fuel Engineer, Gas Combustion Engineer, Lubricating Engineer, Oxidation Engineer, Pharmaceutical Process Engineer, Plant Engineer, Plastics Engineer, Polymerization Engineer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.