As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Chemical Engineer in the United States is $83,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Entry Chemical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Chemical Engineer'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 an Entry Chemical Engineer'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Chemical Engineer | 0-2 years | $83,603 |
| Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D) | 2-4 years | $97,231 |
| 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 | $164,831 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Chemical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.91% |
| Design Engineering | 2.13% |
| Support Services | 1.89% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Decision Making
|
$92,059 |
10%
|
|
Consulting Services
|
$89,548 |
7%
|
|
Semiconductors
|
$89,548 |
7%
|
|
Product Design
|
$89,548 |
7%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$89,548 |
7%
|
|
Renewable Energy
|
$87,875 |
5%
|
Entry Chemical Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,659. While startup companies pay approximate $79,277.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $79,277 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $83,824 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $90,466 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $93,659 |
For Entry Chemical Engineer 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, Entry Chemical Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Chemical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $100,428 | $48.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Chemical Engineers 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 an Entry Chemical Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $80,733 and $85,448).
Entry Chemical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how an Entry Chemical Engineer'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 July 01, 2026For an Entry Chemical Engineer, 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 for an Entry Chemical Engineer 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 Entry Chemical Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $81,828 |
| 2024 | $78,073 |
| 2025 | $74,267 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Chemical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
A BS in Chemical Engineering is worth it due to its industry flexibility and competitive salaries. Entry-level positions offer salaries ranging from $78,590 to $95,890, with a median of $86,790. While the major is challenging, requiring a solid understanding of chemistry, physics, and math, the financial rewards and career opportunities make it a valuable investment.
Entry-level pay for chemical engineers typically ranges from $78,590 to $95,890. This lower salary is often due to the abundance of job opportunities and the basic skill requirements for these positions. Employers can offer lower wages because they have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, leading to competitive but modest starting salaries.
The lowest salary for an entry-level chemical engineer is $78,590. The average salary in this field is around $86,790, with experienced professionals earning up to $95,890.
Chemical engineers are typically compensated well, with entry-level salaries ranging from $78,590 to $95,890. The highest-paying industries include Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing, offering an average annual wage of $142,600, followed by Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing at $108,220, and Scientific Research and Development Services at $126,650.
Junior Chemical Engineers in the US earn between $78,590 and $95,890 annually. The average salary is approximately $86,790 per year, which translates to about $41.67 per hour, $1,673 per week, or $7,250 per month.
The lowest salary for an entry-level chemical engineer is approximately $78,590. Salary ranges for chemical engineers can vary significantly based on experience, with mid-level positions earning around $86,790 and experienced professionals reaching up to $95,890. These figures reflect the current market trends for chemical engineering roles.
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.)
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