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Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant in the United States is $164,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $187,252
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $161,100 to $176,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $157,640
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View as table View as graph 25% $161,100 10% $157,640 90% $187,252 75% $176,600 $164,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $176,600 $14,717 $3,396 $85
Average $164,900 $13,742 $3,171 $79
25th Percentile $161,100 $13,425 $3,098 $77
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Key Factors That Influence Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries

A Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) (4-7 years): $114,421
  • Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) (7+ years): $138,331
  • Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $164,836
  • Chemical Engineer - Advisor (10-12 years): $190,106
  • Chemical Research & Development Engineering Manager (12+ years): $148,092
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D)4-7 years$114,421
Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)7+ years$138,331
Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$164,836
Chemical Engineer - Advisor10-12 years$190,106
Chemical Research & Development Engineering Manager12+ years$148,092
$114,421 Chemical ...
$138,331 Chemical ...
$164,836 Chemical ...
$190,106 Chemical ...
$148,092 Chemical ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $208,000
  • San Francisco: $205,700
  • Oakland: $201,300

What Skills Can Increase a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 8.37% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
  • Environmental Technology (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): environmental technologies aim to protect the environment. They offer ways of consuming which are less polluting or do so in a sustainable manner, and often provide new ways to avoid depletion of natural resources altogether.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 8.37%
Support Services 2.79%
Environmental Technology 1.99%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Chemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Employee Health and Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Communicates Effectively
$187,986
14%
Chemistry
$184,688
12%
Employee Health and Safety
$183,039
11%
Taking Action
$183,039
11%
Mechanical Engineering
$181,390
10%
Quality Control
$174,794
6%
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Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $184,704. While startup companies pay approximate $156,389.

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$156,389
Growth Stage51~500$165,354
Established501~5000$178,403
Enterprise5000+$184,704

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$206,125$99.025%
Biotechnology$197,880$95.020%
Pharmaceuticals$194,582$94.018%
Energy & Utilities$189,635$91.015%
Aerospace & Defense$181,390$87.010%

How Education impacts a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultants enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $166,757 and $176,528).

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 0.8%
Associates 0.4%
Bachelors 33.9%
Masters 35.5%
Doctorate 29.1%
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Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer - Advisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $190,200 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Salaries for a Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $140,625 in 2023 to around $124,674 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$140,625
2024
$132,086
2025
$124,674
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $140,625
2024 $132,086
2025 $124,674
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

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    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Brand & External Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare indust... more

    17 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

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    18 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    18 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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    20 Days Ago

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FAQ about Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What does a Chemical Engineer consultant do?

Chemical Engineer Consultants offer specialized expertise in chemical engineering projects, assisting companies in optimizing processes, addressing technical challenges, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Their salary ranges from $156,600 to $192,200, with a median salary of $175,000, reflecting their critical role in enhancing operational efficiency and safety in the industry.

3. What is the highest salary chemical engineering jobs?

The highest salary for a Chemical Engineer in an expert or consultant role ranges from $156,600 to $192,200, with a mid-salary of $175,000. This competitive pay reflects the demand for specialized skills in the field, making it a lucrative career choice.

4. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA are Chemical Engineers, particularly at the expert or consultant level. Their salary ranges from a minimum of $156,600 to a mid-level of $175,000, with a maximum reaching $192,200 annually. This positions them among the top earners in the engineering field, surpassing many other engineering disciplines.

5. What engineers make 200k a year?

While many engineering roles can offer high salaries, Chemical Engineers typically earn between $156,600 and $192,200 annually. Positions such as Senior Chemical Engineer or Consultant may approach the upper end of this range, but reaching $200k is less common. For higher salaries, consider roles in specialized sectors or leadership positions.

6. What does a chemical engineer Consultant do?

Chemical Engineer Consultants offer specialized expertise in chemical engineering projects, assisting companies in optimizing processes, addressing technical challenges, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Their salary ranges from $156,600 to $192,200, with a median of $175,000, reflecting their critical role in enhancing operational efficiency and safety in the industry.

7. Do doctors or engineers make more money?

While specialist doctors may start with higher salaries, expert chemical engineers earn between $156,600 and $192,200 annually. From ages 22 to 42, engineers typically enjoy better financial stability, only falling behind in lifetime earnings after age 43. Thus, during the early years of their careers, engineers often have a more favorable financial position than doctors.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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