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Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) in the United States is $83,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,646
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,100 to $91,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,001
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,100 10% $73,001 90% $97,646 75% $91,000 $83,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $91,000 $7,583 $1,750 $44
Average $83,700 $6,975 $1,610 $40
25th Percentile $78,100 $6,508 $1,502 $38
Check out Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries

A Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'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 I - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'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 I - Research & Development (R&D) (0-2 years): $83,601
  • Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D) (2-4 years): $97,230
  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)0-2 years$83,601
Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D)2-4 years$97,230
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
$83,601 Chemical ...
$97,230 Chemical ...
$114,421 Chemical ...
$138,331 Chemical ...
$164,836 Chemical ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)s

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: $105,500
  • San Francisco: $104,300
  • Oakland: $102,100

What Skills Can Increase a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.91% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 1.89% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.91%
Design Engineering 2.13%
Support Services 1.89%
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 I - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Consulting Services: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making
 $92,070
10%
Consulting Services
 $89,559
7%
Semiconductors
 $89,559
7%
Product Design
 $89,559
7%
Sustainability
 $89,559
7%
Renewable Energy
 $87,885
5%
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Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,752. While startup companies pay approximate $79,380.

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$79,380
Growth Stage51~500$83,931
Established501~5000$90,554
Enterprise5000+$93,752

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$100,440$48.020%

How Education impacts a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)s enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 I - Research & Development (R&D) with a Associate's Degree is between $80,743 and $85,458).

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 0.9%
Associates 0.4%
Bachelors 68.5%
Masters 22.1%
Doctorate 7.7%
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Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$78,100
Average $83,700/year
$91,000
$6,508
Average $6,975/month
$7,583
$1,502
Average $1,610/week
$1,750
$38
Average $40/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,000 $7,583 $1,750 $44
Average $83,700 $6,975 $1,610 $40
25th Percentile $78,100 $6,508 $1,502 $38

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Salary Growth & Career Path

Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)
Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D)
Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D)

For a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D) role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $97,300 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

Salary Trends for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

Salaries for a Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,828 in 2023 to around $74,267 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,828
2024
$78,073
2025
$74,267
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,828
2024 $78,073
2025 $74,267
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

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    Vice President Commercial

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    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

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FAQ about Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D)?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can chemical engineers make 6 figures?

Chemical engineers in Research & Development typically earn between $78,600 and $95,900 annually, with a median salary of $86,800. While these figures are below six figures, experienced professionals in specialized roles or industries may earn higher salaries, potentially reaching six figures in certain circumstances.

3. How much do R&D engineers make in the USA?

R&D engineers in the USA typically earn between $78,600 and $95,900 annually. The average salary for this role is approximately $86,800. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, providing a clear picture of compensation for Chemical Engineers in Research and Development.

4. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) in the USA typically ranges from $78,600 to $95,900 annually. The average salary is around $86,800, which reflects the competitive nature of the field and the expertise required for R&D roles.

5. How much do R&D chemical engineers make?

As of January 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) is $86,800. Salaries typically range from $78,600 to $95,900, reflecting the diverse compensation within the field.

6. What is the highest salary for a research engineer?

The highest salary for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) is ₹95,900. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹86,800 per year, while the top 1% earn above ₹78,600 annually.

7. Do R&D jobs pay well?

R&D jobs can offer competitive salaries. For Chemical Engineers in Research & Development, the salary ranges from a minimum of $78,600 to a mid-level of $86,800, with a maximum of $95,900. This indicates a solid earning potential within the field, reflecting the importance of R&D roles in driving innovation.

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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