Chemical Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Chemical Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $125,800 a year ($60.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $125,800. There are 0.99 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| 25th percentile | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Median | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| 75th percentile | $158,940 | $76.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $126,810 | $60.97 |
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 | $10,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,241.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,838.46 |
| Weekly | $2,419.23 |
| Hourly | $60.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $139,220 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $128,110 | 410 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $167,160 | $80.36 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,170 | $62.58 |
| Materials Engineer | $151,940 | $73.05 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $125,800 a year, or $60.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $158,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,780 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $82,740 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Boulder, CO?
About 190 chemical engineers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.