As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer IV in Virginia is $139,299 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:
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Chemical Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $151,056 | $12,588 | $2,905 | $73 |
| Average | $139,299 | $11,608 | $2,679 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,177 | $11,098 | $2,561 | $64 |
Global Systems Engineering - Fort Belvoir, VA
MartinFed - Arlington, VA
ARSIEM - Arlington, VA
DirectViz Solutions, LLC - Virginia Beach, VA
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $97,912 |
| Chemical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $115,222 |
| Chemical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $139,299 |
| Chemical Engineer V | 7-10 years | $165,985 |
| Chemical Engineer VI | 10-12 years | $191,449 |
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 IVs. 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 IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $155,893. While startup companies pay approximate $131,954.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $131,954 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $139,523 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $150,578 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $155,893 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $181,089 | $87.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $174,124 | $84.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $174,124 | $84.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $167,159 | $80.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $160,194 | $77.0 | 15% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $151,056 | $12,588 | $2,905 | $73 |
| Average | $139,299 | $11,608 | $2,679 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,177 | $11,098 | $2,561 | $64 |
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 $165,985 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Engineer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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