Chemical Engineer salary in Albuquerque, NM
Chemical Engineers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $163,380 a year ($78.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,360 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $158,190. There are 0.20 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $143,640, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,100 | $33.70 |
| 25th percentile | $86,100 | $41.40 |
| Median | $163,380 | $78.55 |
| 75th percentile | $163,380 | $78.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,360 | $98.73 |
| Average (mean) | $143,640 | $69.06 |
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 | $13,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,807.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,283.85 |
| Weekly | $3,141.92 |
| Hourly | $78.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $163,720 | $78.71 |
| Engineers, All Other | $163,630 | $78.67 |
| Industrial Engineer | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,080 | $50.52 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $153,900 | $73.99 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,970 | $49.50 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $116,280 | $55.91 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $102,250 | $49.16 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,170 | $31.33 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $163,380 a year, or $78.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $205,360 a year. The top 25% earn $163,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,100 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $86,100 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 80 chemical engineers are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.