Chemical Engineer Career Guide

A chemical engineer applies the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They have the opportunity to work in a huge variety of different industries, such as the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, food processing, electronics, environmental health or healthcare.

We have in-depth career profiles to show you what chemical engineers do on a daily basis, which has been compiled by talking to real people in the industry. Read the profiles below to learn about the ins and outs of being a chemical engineer, including educational and career paths, salaries, and more.

Chemical Engineer Career Ratings

(What these ratings mean)

Income

Career
Growth

Personal Growth

Contribution

Influence

Job Profiles

Real-Life Chemical Engineer Job Profiles

Below is a list of links to anonymous job profiles of REAL PEOPLE who have filled out our survey and offered to share their insights with our users about their job in the Chemical Engineer field.

ID	Job Title	Gender	Age	Earnings	City & State	Date
33244	Chemical Engineer	Female	26	$75,000	West Columbia, SC	01/01/2010
33196	Biochemical Engineer Supervisor	Male	19	$80,000	Valley Park, MO	01/01/2010

Overview

What a chemical engineer does

A chemical engineer applies the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They will work in a variety of different industries, such as the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, food processing, electronics, environmental health or healthcare. The tasks they perform include everything from constructing different compounds, finding new ways of refining petroleum products and to processing chemicals, to advising regulators on laws that make people safe and how to mass-produce affordable medications. Regardless of the industry they work in, chemical engineers will always complete tasks such as:

Conducting research to develop new and improved manufacturing processes
Establishing safety procedures for those working with dangerous chemicals
Developing processes for separating components of liquids and gases,
Designing and planning the layout of equipment
Conducting tests and monitoring the performance of processes throughout production
Troubleshooting problems with manufacturing processes
Evaluating equipment and processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations
Estimating production costs for management

Why they are needed

Chemical engineers are at the forefront of scientific and technological developments. They are responsible for designing, constructing and operating processes to create the products that we all depend on! They can also work to tackle some of the world’s most pressing and urgent problems, making them a much needed member of modern day society!

Pros and cons of a career as a chemical engineer:

Pros:

Like all engineers, chemical engineers are offered competitive salaries
Chemical engineers are in high demand and there are lots of opportunities for advancement and progression
It is an exciting career
The work is rewarding and essential to society
There is a lot of variety because chemical engineers can work in a number of different industries

Cons:

It is a competitive job market
There is often a lot of studying required (e.g., a bachelors degree, a masters degree and further training)
They may be employed overseas, which can impact your work-life balance
Chemical engineers may be exposed to hazardous substances
Chemical engineers may often have to work long hours or an erratic schedule

Employability

Job market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This smaller employment growth is expected because the demand for chemical engineers’ depends largely on the demand for the products of various manufacturing industries. The ability of these engineers to stay on the forefront of new emerging technologies will sustain employment growth.

In addition, chemical engineering will continue to migrate into dynamic fields, such as nanotechnology, alternative energies, and biotechnology, and thereby help to sustain demand for engineering services in many manufacturing industries.

Career paths

In order to land an entry-level chemical engineer job, you will need a bachelors degree in engineering (preferably chemical engineering). Whilst studying, you will learn through classes, laboratory work and field study that cover areas such as engineering principles, trigonometry and chemistry. Most colleges and universities offer cooperative programs, in which students gain practical experience while completing their education.

In order to have the best employment and development opportunities, some chemical engineers will complete a 5-year program in engineering that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Regardless of what route they choose, all aspiring chemical engineers should aim to complete ABET accredited programs.

After completing the relevant degree and on-the-job training (where they will be supervised by experience engineers) to become licensed, chemical engineers can advance to supervise teams of engineers and technicians. At the later stages of their career, chemical engineers may go into sales and use their engineering background to inform the discussion of a products technical aspects with a potential buyer.

Example Job Titles for Chemical Engineer

Below is a list of common job titles in the Chemical Engineer field. Click the links below for more information about these job titles, or view the next section for actual real-life job profiles.

Benefits & Conditions

Income and benefits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for chemical engineers in the United States was $108,540 in 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $68,430 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $168,960. The top paying industry was petroleum and coal products manufacturing, where the median annual salary was $123,360. This is followed by engineering services ($111,090), research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences ($106,500), pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing ($101,780) and then finally, the wholesale trade ($99,490).

Autonomy and Flexibility

Chemical engineers are likely to have high levels autonomy as they are often very senior members in projects and, therefore, will have control over many decisions. As chemical engineers progress through their careers, their autonomy will increase further as they gather more experience, knowledge and responsibility.

On the other hand, flexibility for chemical engineers is likely to be low. Often, chemical engineers will have to stick to project deadlines and will have little control over the hours they work.

Locations and commute

According to Zipp ia, the best states to be a chemical engineer, based on average annual salary and number of job opportunities, are:

Delaware, where the average annual salary is $95,377
New Mexico, where the average annual salary is $103,281
Texas, where the average annual salary is $106,258
Virginia, where the average annual salary is $88,116
Maryland, where the average annual salary is $91,589

The worst states to be a chemical engineer, according to Zippia, are Rhode Island, South Dakota, Hawaii, Wyoming and Montana.

Work environment

The largest employer of chemical engineers in the United States was the research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences industry, which hired 10% of all chemical engineers in 2019. 9% of chemical engineers were employed by engineering services, 5% by petroleum and coal products manufacturing, 4% by wholesale trade and a final 3% by pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.

Chemical engineers tend to work mostly in laboratories, although they may spend time at industrial plants, refineries and other locations. Chemical engineers will work with those who design other systems, with technicians and with mechanics and, as a result, they must be able to work well as part of a team.

Chemical engineers can be exposed to health and safety hazards when handling certain chemicals and plant equipment. However, such exposure can be avoided by following proper procedures.

Career Satisfaction

Common Matching Personality Types

Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Chemical Engineer careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Chemical Engineer career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Chemical Engineer.

16 Types (Myers-Briggs)

Big Five (OCEAN)

None

DISC

Enneagram

Type 5

Holland Codes (RIASEC)

Personality types

There has been no scientific exploration into exactly what personality types will make a successful chemical engineer. However, successful engineers are likely to be the the Myers Briggs personality type of INTJ, or otherwise known as ‘the inspector’. INTJ’s are typically responsible, reserved and organized. They have a strong focus on detail and ensuring things are completed correctly. These skills are key for chemical engineers, who must apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.

Accomplishment and mastery

Like most engineering careers, it takes a reasonably long time to become a fully qualified chemical engineer. On top of this, chemical engineers have a lot of responsibility when they are fully qualified Therefore, when a chemical engineer qualifies, they are likely to feel a huge sense of achievement.

Throughout their career, chemical engineers will be working to solve huge problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. Each time a chemical engineer solves one of these problems, they will feel accomplished.

Meaning and contribution

A chemical engineer applies the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They help create the products that we all hugely rely on every day, and they solve many of the worlds most pressing issues. As a result, the work of a chemical engineer has incredibly high meaning and contribution to society.

Life fit

Most chemical engineers will work normal full time hours. Occasionally, they may have to work overtime to meet production targets and design standards or to troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes.

Who will thrive in this career?

There are many qualities that a successful chemical engineer will need in order to thrive. For example:

Chemical engineers must be mathematically minded
They should have good IT skills and be analytical
They should enjoy working with others
Being able to communicate well and have strong teamwork skills
They must be strong, resilient and able to work alone too
The ability to work under pressure
Enthusiasm for the job

Who will struggle in this career?

As with any type of engineering, you will struggle as a chemical engineer if you are not naturally creative. Similarly, those who are not natural born problem-solvers and don’t pay attention to detail may struggle as a chemical engineer, who needs to be able to notice and solve even the smallest of issues. Finally, those who are rigid and not adaptable may struggle as a chemical engineer, who needs to be to adjust to both independent working, and team working.

Requirements

Quick Glance

Skills

Degrees

Skills and talents

Chemical engineers will learn many of the skills they need during their education and studying. However, they must also have skills such as:

Creativity, because chemical engineers must explore new ways of applying engineering principles and need to work to invent new materials, manufacturing techniques and new applications
Ingenuity, as chemical engineers must learn the broad concepts of chemical engineering and apply them to very specific production problems
Attention to detail, as chemical engineers must not overlook any potential issues
Interpersonal skills, as they will need to work with lots of other professionals (e.g., engineers, fieldworkers) and with customers. They must communicate well with others to ensure the project runs safely and smoothly
Analytical skills, as chemical engineers must be able to compile and make sense of large amounts of technical information and data
Math skills, as chemical engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics for analysis, design and troubleshooting

Education

Chemical engineers will need a bachelors degree in engineering (preferably chemical engineering). Generally, most aspiring engineers will complete cooperative programs as this allows students to gain practical experience while completing their education. All chemical engineers should aim to complete ABET accredited programs.

In order to have the best employment and development opportunities, some chemical engineers will complete a 5-year program in chemical engineering that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

Certifications

Chemical engineers can achieve a professional engineering (PE) license later on in their career. Licensing demonstrates an engineers competence and gives them more progression opportunities. Licensed engineers can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off projects and provide service directly to the public. To achieve a PE license, aspiring engineers will need:

A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Relevant work experience
A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam

How to Become

Summary

They play an important role in our world by ensuring that the products we all rely so greatly on are produced, and by solving some of the worlds most pressing issues.

Immediate action

If you’re at high school and looking to become a chemical engineer, you should consider taking courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and math (including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus). To have the best chance of getting accepted onto an engineering degree programs, we advise having lots of extra-curricular activities (e.g., sports teams, art classes).

Education and learning

Chemical engineers will need a bachelors degree in engineering that is accredited by the ABET. Some aspiring chemical engineers will enrol in 5-year programs, where they can obtain a bachelors degree and a master’s degree.

Skill development

Chemical engineers will learn many of the advanced skills and knowledge they need through their education. Once they graduate, they can take further training in order to give them more career progression opportunities, which will further advance their skills.

FAQs

Ask a Question

Have a question about Chemical Engineer careers? If so, our mentors would love to help! Just click on a mentor’s profile below and then fill out the “Ask a Question” form on that page. Your question will then be emailed to the mentor, who can then email you a reply.

ID	Job Title	Gender	Age	Earnings	City & State	Date
33244	Chemical Engineer	Female	26	$75,000	West Columbia, SC	01/01/2010
33196	Biochemical Engineer Supervisor	Male	19	$80,000	Valley Park, MO	01/01/2010

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