Chemical Engineer salary in Alabama
Chemical Engineers in Alabama earn a median of $135,030 a year ($64.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $125,040. Alabama ranks 3rd of 41 states for chemical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.28 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,470, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| 25th percentile | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Median | $135,030 | $64.92 |
| 75th percentile | $141,840 | $68.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,700 | $79.18 |
| Average (mean) | $124,470 | $59.84 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,626.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,193.46 |
| Weekly | $2,596.73 |
| Hourly | $64.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $137,170 | 150 |
| Decatur, AL | $109,160 | 60 |
| Huntsville, AL | $101,480 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $127,540 | $61.32 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,630 | $60.40 |
| Engineers, All Other | $152,550 | $73.34 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,720 | $58.04 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Materials Engineer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,490 | $50.71 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $132,570 | $63.74 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $102,530 | $49.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $85,720 | $41.21 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,230 | $48.19 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in Alabama?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Alabama is $135,030 a year, or $64.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Alabama earn at least $164,700 a year. The top 25% earn $141,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,750 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $96,820 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Alabama?
About 600 chemical engineers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.