Chemical Engineering graduates earn $98,158 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Engineering Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Chemical Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $98,158 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 211 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 11,830 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$73,072
Median Earnings · 4yr
$98,158
Colleges Offering
211
Graduates / Year
11,830
Avg Net Price / yr
$18,860
How Much Do Chemical Engineering Graduates Earn?
Chemical Engineering graduates earn $98,158 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,300 and $117,974.
$73,072
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$98,158
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$96,798
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Chemical Engineering graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$80,30025th pct.
$98,158Median
$117,97475th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $98,158 against an estimated $75,440 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 188 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 11,830 students who complete Chemical Engineering programs each year, the majority (76%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
76%
Bachelor's76%
Master's14%
Doctorate9%
What Can You Do With a Chemical Engineering Degree?
Chemical Engineering connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingScienceComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
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.
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.
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Chemical Engineering
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Chemical Engineering students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Chemical Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Chemical Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $98,158 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $73,072 at graduation to $98,158 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 21,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Chemical Engineering Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Chemical Engineering graduates earn?
Chemical Engineering graduates earn a national median of $98,158 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,300 and $117,974. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Chemical Engineering degree?
One year after graduation, Chemical Engineering degree holders earn a median of $73,072. That climbs to $98,158 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree?
Chemical Engineering degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Chemical Engineering program take?
A Chemical Engineering bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Chemical Engineering?
211 colleges and universities in the United States offer Chemical Engineering programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Chemical Engineering degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $98,158 and an average net price of roughly $18,860/yr, a Chemical Engineering degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Chemical Engineering and Engineering?
Chemical Engineering is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Chemical Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Chemical Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Chemical Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Chemical Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Chemical Engineering graduates?
The job outlook for Chemical Engineering graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.9% job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
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