As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer in the United States is $97,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Intermediate Chemical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
An Intermediate 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 Intermediate 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer I - Research & Development (R&D) | 0-2 years | $83,601 |
| Intermediate Chemical Engineer | 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 |
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 Intermediate Chemical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 5.87% |
| Design Engineering | 2.4% |
| Environmental Safety | 1.6% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Solution Design
|
$110,911 |
14%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$105,073 |
8%
|
|
Design Engineering
|
$102,155 |
5%
|
|
Renewable Energy
|
$101,182 |
4%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$101,182 |
4%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$100,209 |
3%
|
Intermediate Chemical Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $108,974. While startup companies pay approximate $92,269.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $92,269 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,558 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $105,257 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $108,974 |
For Intermediate Chemical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Chemical Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Chemical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $141,070 | $68.0 | 45% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $131,342 | $63.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $121,612 | $58.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $116,748 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $111,883 | $54.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Chemical Engineers 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 an Intermediate Chemical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $93,323 and $98,468).
Intermediate Chemical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 0.4% |
| Associates | 39.9% |
| Bachelors | 49.8% |
| Masters | 39.9% |
| Doctorate | 9.9% |
Understanding how an Intermediate 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 August 01, 2026For an Intermediate Chemical Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,500 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $98,098 in 2023 to around $88,698 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Chemical Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $98,098 |
| 2024 | $93,299 |
| 2025 | $88,698 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Intermediate Chemical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Chemical Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Chemical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 45% above the market median.
Finding a job as a chemical engineer is becoming easier, with employment projected to grow 10% from 2023 to 2033. This growth translates to about 1,400 job openings annually. The salary range for intermediate chemical engineers is competitive, with a minimum of $88,990, a mid-range of $98,190, and a maximum of $108,290, reflecting strong demand in the field.
Chemical engineering has its disadvantages, including the need for strict adherence to safety and environmental regulations, which can be challenging. Additionally, the field can be competitive, with limited job opportunities in certain areas. Despite these challenges, the salary range for intermediate chemical engineers is attractive, with a minimum of $88,990, a mid-range of $98,190, and a maximum of $108,290.
The top 10% of chemical engineers typically earn significantly more than the average. Based on current salary data, while the minimum salary for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer is $88,990, the top earners can make up to $108,290 annually. This indicates that the highest salaries in the field can exceed $108,290, reflecting their expertise and experience.
The salary for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer ranges from a minimum of $88,990 to a maximum of $108,290, with a mid-level salary of $98,190. This reflects the earning potential for graduates in the field, which can vary based on experience and location.
The minimum salary for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer in the USA is $88,990. This figure reflects the entry-level compensation in the field, while the mid-range salary is $98,190, and the maximum salary can reach up to $108,290, indicating a competitive earning potential in this profession.
The highest-paying countries for chemical engineers include the USA, Switzerland, Japan, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In the USA, intermediate chemical engineers can expect salaries ranging from $88,990 to $108,290, with a median salary of $98,190, reflecting the competitive nature of the field.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
