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Chemical Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineering Director in the United States is $205,758 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $99.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $223,542
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $195,680 to $215,067
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $186,505
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chemical Engineering Director Salaries

A Chemical Engineering Director'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.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineering Director'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 IV (7+ years): $138,332
  • Chemical Engineer V (7-10 years): $164,841
  • Chemical Engineer VI (10-12 years): $190,094
  • Chemical Engineering Manager (12+ years): $148,099
  • Chemical Engineering Director (12+ years): $205,758
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Engineer IV7+ years$138,332
Chemical Engineer V7-10 years$164,841
Chemical Engineer VI10-12 years$190,094
Chemical Engineering Manager12+ years$148,099
Chemical Engineering Director12+ years$205,758
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How Do Chemical Engineering Directors 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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $227,815.
  • California: $226,951.
  • Massachusetts: $223,926.

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineering Director

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: $259,523
  • San Francisco: $256,681
  • Oakland: $251,272

Chemical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $230,083. While startup companies pay approximate $194,792.

Chemical Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $194,792
Growth Stage 51~500 $205,956
Established 501~5000 $222,222
Enterprise 5000+ $230,083

Chemical Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineering Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$257,198$124.025%
Energy & Utilities$246,910$119.020%
Financial Services$246,910$119.020%
Software & Networking$246,910$119.020%
Biotechnology$226,334$109.010%

Chemical Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Engineering Director'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 September 01, 2026
$195,680
Average $205,758/year
$215,067
$16,307
Average $17,147/month
$17,922
$3,763
Average $3,957/week
$4,136
$94
Average $99/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $215,067 $17,922 $4,136 $103
Average $205,758 $17,147 $3,957 $99
25th Percentile $195,680 $16,307 $3,763 $94

Most common benefits for Chemical Engineering Director

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

Common company salaries for Chemical Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chemical Engineering Director

1. Where can a Chemical Engineering Director earn the most?

A Chemical Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemical Engineering Director is $259,523.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemical Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Chemical Engineering Director is $223,542.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemical Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Chemical Engineering Director is $186,505.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemical Engineering Director?

Directs research and development efforts to study the chemical reactions and properties of materials used for new products, product optimization, and innovation. Oversees research studies, experimentation, and testing to evaluate and analyze the materials, processes, and protocols required for product development and manufacturing. Develops and optimizes manufacturing procedures and processes that follow best practices. Establishes rigorous engineering-based methodologies used for analysis and process development. Ensures all operations follow environmental, safety, regulatory and quality regulations. Typically requires a master's degree in chemical engineering. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Engineering Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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