Chemical Engineer salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Chemical Engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $134,800 a year ($64.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,530 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $134,800. There are 0.88 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| 25th percentile | $107,790 | $51.82 |
| Median | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| 75th percentile | $165,580 | $79.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,530 | $85.35 |
| Average (mean) | $136,220 | $65.49 |
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 | $11,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,616.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,184.62 |
| Weekly | $2,592.31 |
| Hourly | $64.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $136,870 | 190 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $136,810 | 100 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Civil Engineer | $112,430 | $54.06 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $135,530 | $65.16 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Electrical Engineer | $133,030 | $63.96 |
| Environmental Engineer | $138,000 | $66.34 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Surveyor | $69,710 | $33.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $67,360 | $32.39 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $80,670 | $38.78 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $134,800 a year, or $64.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $177,530 a year. The top 25% earn $165,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,500 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $107,790 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 360 chemical engineers are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.