As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Process Engineer III in the United States is $120,003 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Chemical Process Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Chemical Process Engineer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $131,201 | $10,933 | $2,523 | $63 |
| Average | $120,003 | $10,000 | $2,308 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,716 | $9,226 | $2,129 | $53 |
A Chemical Process 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 Process 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 Process Engineer I | 0-2 years | $87,117 |
| Chemical Process Engineer II | 2-4 years | $102,323 |
| Chemical Process Engineer III | 4-7 years | $120,003 |
| Chemical Process Engineer IV | 7+ years | $142,141 |
| Chemical Process Engineer V | 7-10 years | $165,448 |
Chemical Process Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,415. While startup companies pay approximate $113,809.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $113,809 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $120,334 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $129,829 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $134,415 |
Understanding how a Chemical Process 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 | $131,201 | $10,933 | $2,523 | $63 |
| Average | $120,003 | $10,000 | $2,308 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,716 | $9,226 | $2,129 | $53 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Chemical Process Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Process Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $142,141 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a Chemical Process Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $119,657 in 2023 to around $109,026 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chemical Process Engineer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $119,657 |
| 2024 | $114,266 |
| 2025 | $109,026 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Chemical Process Engineer III'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 Process Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemical Process Engineer III is $151,360.
The highest pay for Chemical Process Engineer III is $141,396.
The lowest pay for Chemical Process Engineer III is $102,261.
Develops the systems, tools, processes, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) used to manufacture chemicals and chemical-based products for consumer and industrial use. Collaborates with manufacturing and R&D teams to design, test, develop and optimize scalable production processes and deploy equipment and instruments used in operations. Utilizes process simulation and engineering methodologies with a structured problem-solving approach to identify root causes and devise solutions for processing problems. Establishes and tracks production quality metrics. Monitors production operations for quality and performance to identify improvements to current process technology. Integrates safety and quality into processes by utilizing material handling and disposal best practices. Complies with all safety and environmental regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Process Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: