As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer III in Illinois is $116,629 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.
However, a Chemical Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chemical Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $125,559 | $10,463 | $2,415 | $60 |
| Average | $116,629 | $9,719 | $2,243 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,311 | $9,109 | $2,102 | $53 |
Crysalis Biosciences - East Saint Louis, IL
Sonaca - Saint Charles, IL
System One - Downers Grove, IL
SWE Solutions - Naperville, IL
A Chemical Engineer III'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer III'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 | $85,217 |
| Chemical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $99,108 |
| Chemical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $116,629 |
| Chemical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $141,001 |
| Chemical Engineer V | 7-10 years | $168,012 |
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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Chemical Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,523. While startup companies pay approximate $110,479.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $110,479 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $116,816 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $126,073 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $130,523 |
For Chemical Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $151,618 | $73.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $145,787 | $70.0 | 25% |
| Business Services | $139,955 | $67.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $134,124 | $64.0 | 15% |
| Construction | $128,292 | $62.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Chemical Engineer III'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $125,559 | $10,463 | $2,415 | $60 |
| Average | $116,629 | $9,719 | $2,243 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,311 | $9,109 | $2,102 | $53 |
For a Chemical Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $141,001 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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