As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) in the United States is $114,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $123,200 | $10,267 | $2,369 | $59 |
| Average | $114,500 | $9,542 | $2,202 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,300 | $8,942 | $2,063 | $52 |
A Chemical Engineer III - 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer III - 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) | 0-2 years | $83,599 |
| 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 | $138,332 |
| Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant | 7-10 years | $164,841 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 5.79% |
| Continuous Improvement | 2.37% |
| Environmental Safety | 1.58% |
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 III - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Action | $129,385 | |
| Employee Health and Safety | $129,385 | |
| Purchasing | $127,095 |
Chemical Engineer III - 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 $128,036. While startup companies pay approximate $108,398.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $108,398 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $114,610 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $123,662 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $128,036 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D)s enter the field with a Bachelor'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 III - Research & Development (R&D) with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,264 and $119,951).
| Typical Education for Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 0.4% |
| Associates | 29.3% |
| Bachelors | 46.7% |
| Masters | 29.3% |
| Doctorate | 23.6% |
Understanding how a Chemical Engineer III - 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $123,200 | $10,267 | $2,369 | $59 |
| Average | $114,500 | $9,542 | $2,202 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,300 | $8,942 | $2,063 | $52 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $138,400 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $119,657 in 2023 to around $108,308 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $119,657 |
| 2024 | $116,113 |
| 2025 | $108,308 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
The highest salary for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) ranges from $107,500 to $132,100, with a mid-salary of $119,700. This positions chemical engineering as a lucrative career option, especially when compared to other high-paying professions in various fields.
The estimated total pay for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) ranges from $107,500 to $132,100 per year, with a median salary of $119,700. This median represents the midpoint of the salary range based on collected data.
The highest paid research field includes roles like Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D), with salaries ranging from $107,500 to $132,100. Other high-paying positions include Postdoctoral Research Associate and Pharmaceutical Scientist, but the Chemical Engineer role offers a competitive salary, reflecting the demand for expertise in this area.
R&D is indeed a promising career, especially for Chemical Engineers. With salaries ranging from $107,500 to $132,100, it offers competitive compensation. The field is thriving, with India establishing 25 innovation centers this year, highlighting the growing demand for innovative ideas and solutions. Overall, R&D is a lucrative and rewarding path.
In the USA, Chemical Engineers in Research & Development (R&D) earn between $107,500 and $132,100 annually, with a median salary of approximately $119,700. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this role, highlighting the competitive compensation in the field.
R&D jobs, particularly for Chemical Engineers, offer competitive salaries. The minimum salary is $107,500, with a mid-range salary of $119,700 and a maximum of $132,100. This indicates that R&D positions in this field are well-compensated, reflecting the specialized skills and expertise required.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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