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Chemical Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer IV in the United States is $138,331 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Chemical Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,699
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,289 to $150,039
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,788
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chemical Engineer IV Salaries

A Chemical Engineer IV'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.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer IV'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:

  • Chemical Engineer II (2-4 years): $97,230
  • Chemical Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,421
  • Chemical Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,331
  • Chemical Engineer V (7-10 years): $164,836
  • Chemical Engineer VI (10-12 years): $190,106
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Engineer II2-4 years$97,230
Chemical Engineer III4-7 years$114,421
Chemical Engineer IV7+ years$138,331
Chemical Engineer V7-10 years$164,836
Chemical Engineer VI10-12 years$190,106
View as Graph

How Do Chemical Engineer IVs Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $153,160.
  • California: $152,579.
  • Massachusetts: $150,546.

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineer IV

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:

  • San Jose: $174,477
  • San Francisco: $172,567
  • Oakland: $168,930

What Skills Can Increase a Chemical Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 8.37% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
  • Environmental Technology (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): environmental technologies aim to protect the environment. They offer ways of consuming which are less polluting or do so in a sustainable manner, and often provide new ways to avoid depletion of natural resources altogether.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 8.37%
Support Services 2.79%
Environmental Technology 1.99%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Chemical Engineer IV's salary.

  • Design Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Design Engineering $190,897
38%
Customer Service $170,147
23%
Insight $167,381
21%
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Chemical Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $154,944. While startup companies pay approximate $131,192.

Chemical Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $131,192
Growth Stage 51~500 $138,712
Established 501~5000 $149,658
Enterprise 5000+ $154,944

Chemical Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Engineer IV 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 Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$179,830$86.030%
Financial Services$172,914$83.025%
Software & Networking$172,914$83.025%
Energy & Utilities$165,997$80.020%
MFG Durable$159,081$76.015%

How Education impacts an Chemical Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer IV enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Chemical Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Chemical Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemical Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 41.5%
High School 28.4%
Associates 30.1%
Bachelors 41.5%
Masters 28.4%
Doctorate 30.1%
View as Graph

Chemical Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Engineer IV'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, 2026
$132,289
Average $138,331/year
$150,039
$11,024
Average $11,528/month
$12,503
$2,544
Average $2,660/week
$2,885
$64
Average $67/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $150,039 $12,503 $2,885 $72
Average $138,331 $11,528 $2,660 $67
25th Percentile $132,289 $11,024 $2,544 $64

Chemical Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Chemical Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Chemical Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $164,836 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Chemical Engineer IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Chemical Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chemical Engineer IV

1. Where can a Chemical Engineer IV earn the most?

A Chemical Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemical Engineer IV is $174,477.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemical Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Chemical Engineer IV is $160,699.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemical Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Chemical Engineer IV is $126,788.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemical Engineer IV?

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. May require a master's degree in chemical engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Engineer IV?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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