As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Chemical Engineer in San Clemente, CA is $103,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, an Intermediate Chemical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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, skills, 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 | $88,771 |
| Intermediate Chemical Engineer | 2-4 years | $103,243 |
| Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) | 4-7 years | $121,497 |
| Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) | 7+ years | $146,885 |
| Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant | 7-10 years | $175,029 |
What Am I Worth?
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
|
$117,751 |
14%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$111,553 |
8%
|
|
Design Engineering
|
$108,455 |
5%
|
|
Renewable Energy
|
$107,422 |
4%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$107,422 |
4%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$106,389 |
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 $115,695. While startup companies pay approximate $97,959.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $97,959 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $103,574 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $111,748 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $115,695 |
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 | $149,770 | $72.0 | 45% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $139,442 | $67.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $129,112 | $62.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $123,948 | $60.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $118,783 | $57.0 | 15% |
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 $121,500 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
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.
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