upper level job

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Process Design Engineer V make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Process Design Engineer V in the United States is $165,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

However, a Chemical Process Design Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,031
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $160,800 to $175,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,521

Key Factors That Influence Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salaries

A Chemical Process Design Engineer V'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Process Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Process Design Engineer V'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 Process Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $102,324
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,010
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $142,140
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,458
  • Chemical Process Design Engineering Manager (10+ years): $160,043
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Process Design Engineer II2-4 years$102,324
Chemical Process Design Engineer III4-7 years$120,010
Chemical Process Design Engineer IV7+ years$142,140
Chemical Process Design Engineer V7-10 years$165,458
Chemical Process Design Engineering Manager10+ years$160,043

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Process Design Engineer Vs

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: $208,700
  • San Francisco: $206,500
  • Oakland: $202,100

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Process Design Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $185,066. While startup companies pay approximate $156,680.

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $156,680
Growth Stage 51~500 $165,659
Established 501~5000 $178,743
Enterprise 5000+ $185,066

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Process Design Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Process Design Engineer positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Process Design Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Process Design Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$264,800$127.060%
Biotechnology$231,700$111.040%
Aerospace & Defense$215,150$103.030%
Software & Networking$206,875$99.025%
Energy & Utilities$198,600$95.020%

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Process Design Engineer V'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 September 01, 2026
$160,800
Average $165,500/year
$175,200
$13,400
Average $13,792/month
$14,600
$3,092
Average $3,183/week
$3,369
$77
Average $80/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $175,200 $14,600 $3,369 $84
Average $165,500 $13,792 $3,183 $80
25th Percentile $160,800 $13,400 $3,092 $77

Chemical Process Design Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Chemical Process Design Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Process Design Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $160,100 - a projected growth of -3% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Chemical Process Design Engineer V

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Chemical Process Design Engineer V

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Process Design Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chemical Process Design Engineer V Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Chemical Process Design Engineer V

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Process Design Engineer V?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Process Design Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

2. Which type of engineering has the highest salary?

Chemical Process Design Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $165,000, a mid-range salary of $182,700, and a maximum of $201,700. Among various engineering disciplines, chemical engineering is one of the highest-paying fields, alongside petroleum and aerospace engineering, reflecting the demand for specialized skills in these areas.

3. Which engineering is the richest?

Chemical Process Design Engineers are among the highest-paid in the engineering field, with salaries ranging from $165,000 to $201,700. The median salary is approximately $182,700, making this specialization highly lucrative compared to other engineering disciplines.

4. Can you make 500k as an engineer?

Yes, but not all Chemical Process Design Engineers will reach that level of compensation. Based on current salary data, the minimum salary is $165,000, the mid-salary is $182,700, and the maximum is $201,700. To achieve higher earnings, one might need to pursue advanced roles, specialize in high-demand areas, or join companies offering significant bonuses or equity.

5. How much does a process engineer earn in America?

In America, Chemical Process Design Engineers earn between $165,000 and $201,700 annually, with a median salary of $182,700. This reflects a higher earning potential compared to the average salary of $105,550 for process engineers in general, highlighting the specialized skills and expertise required in this field.

6. Which engineering has the highest salary?

Among engineering fields, Chemical Process Design Engineers have competitive salaries, with a minimum of $165,000, a mid-range salary of $182,700, and a maximum of $201,700. This positions them favorably compared to other engineering disciplines, making chemical engineering one of the higher-paying options in the industry.

7. Which Chemical Engineer gets paid the most?

The highest-paid Chemical Process Design Engineers earn between $165,000 and $201,700 annually, with a median salary of $182,700. Positions such as Senior Chemical Process Engineer and Chemical Project Engineer typically fall within this range, reflecting the demand and expertise required in the field.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job