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Chemical Process Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Process Engineer V in the United States is $165,458 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,940
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $160,705 to $175,132
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,378

Key Factors That Influence Chemical Process Engineer V Salaries

A Chemical Process Engineer V'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 Process Engineer V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Process Engineer V'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 Process Engineer II (2-4 years): $102,324
  • Chemical Process Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,010
  • Chemical Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $142,140
  • Chemical Process Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,458
  • Chemical Process Engineering Manager (10+ years): $160,043
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Process Engineer II2-4 years$102,324
Chemical Process Engineer III4-7 years$120,010
Chemical Process Engineer IV7+ years$142,140
Chemical Process Engineer V7-10 years$165,458
Chemical Process Engineering Manager10+ years$160,043

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Process Engineer Vs

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: $208,692
  • San Francisco: $206,407
  • Oakland: $202,057

Chemical Process Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Process Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $185,019. While startup companies pay approximate $156,640.

Chemical Process Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $156,640
Growth Stage 51~500 $165,617
Established 501~5000 $178,697
Enterprise 5000+ $185,019

Chemical Process Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Process Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Process Engineer positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Process Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Process Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$264,733$127.060%
Biotechnology$231,641$111.040%
Aerospace & Defense$215,095$103.030%
Software & Networking$206,822$99.025%
Energy & Utilities$198,550$95.020%

Chemical Process Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Process Engineer V'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
$160,705
Average $165,458/year
$175,132
$13,392
Average $13,788/month
$14,594
$3,090
Average $3,182/week
$3,368
$77
Average $80/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $175,132 $14,594 $3,368 $84
Average $165,458 $13,788 $3,182 $80
25th Percentile $160,705 $13,392 $3,090 $77

Chemical Process Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Chemical Process Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Process Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $160,043 - a projected growth of -3% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Chemical Process Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Chemical Process Engineer V

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

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FAQ about Chemical Process Engineer V

1. Where can a Chemical Process Engineer V earn the most?

A Chemical Process Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chemical Process Engineer V is $208,692.

2. What is the highest pay for Chemical Process Engineer V?

The highest pay for Chemical Process Engineer V is $183,940.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chemical Process Engineer V?

The lowest pay for Chemical Process Engineer V is $156,378.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chemical Process Engineer V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Process Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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