As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer II in the United States is $97,231 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Chemical Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Chemical Engineer II'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 II'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 | 0-2 years | $83,603 |
| Chemical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $97,231 |
| Chemical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $114,421 |
| Chemical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $138,331 |
| Chemical Engineer V | 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 Chemical Engineer IIs. 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
|
$110,843 |
14%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$105,009 |
8%
|
|
Design Engineering
|
$102,093 |
5%
|
|
Renewable Energy
|
$101,120 |
4%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$101,120 |
4%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$100,148 |
3%
|
Chemical Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $108,813. While startup companies pay approximate $92,104.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $92,104 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,387 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $105,104 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $108,813 |
For Chemical Engineer II 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, Chemical Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $140,985 | $68.0 | 45% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $131,262 | $63.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $121,539 | $58.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $116,677 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $111,816 | $54.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer IIs 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $93,726 and $98,895).
Chemical Engineer II 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 a Chemical Engineer II'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 a Chemical Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,421 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a Chemical Engineer II 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 Chemical Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $98,098 |
| 2024 | $93,299 |
| 2025 | $88,698 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Chemical Engineer II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chemical Engineer II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemical Engineer II is $122,637.
The highest pay for Chemical Engineer II is $111,015.
The lowest pay for Chemical Engineer II is $82,438.
Conducts research and development projects involving the study of chemical reactions and material properties to innovate and develop new products or optimize existing products. Designs experiments and builds prototypes and models used to investigate and support the development of improved chemicals, materials, products, and manufacturing processes. Compiles and analyzes testing data. Presents research results used to estimate costs, establish performance standards, identify solutions, and facilitate processes. Maintains lab and plant safety procedures for chemical storage, handling, transport, and disposal. Complies with all safety and environmental regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 45% above the market median.
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.
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