Chemical Engineer salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Chemical Engineers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $107,610 a year ($51.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,290 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 3% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $111,200. There are 0.27 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $113,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,360 | $31.90 |
| 25th percentile | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Median | $107,610 | $51.74 |
| 75th percentile | $131,490 | $63.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,290 | $77.06 |
| Average (mean) | $113,380 | $54.51 |
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 | $8,967.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,483.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,138.85 |
| Weekly | $2,069.42 |
| Hourly | $51.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH | $132,760 | 70 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $123,860 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $120,990 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $118,010 | n/a |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $110,960 | 40 |
| Columbus, OH | $110,860 | 170 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $110,760 | 370 |
| Columbus, IN | $109,190 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $108,710 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $108,350 | 240 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $105,140 | $50.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,220 | $50.11 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,220 | $47.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $127,150 | $61.13 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $107,020 | $51.45 |
| Materials Engineer | $127,740 | $61.41 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,560 | $62.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $131,170 | $63.06 |
| Environmental Engineer | $113,960 | $54.79 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $109,120 | $52.46 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,750 | $47.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,010 | $33.66 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $107,610 a year, or $51.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $160,290 a year. The top 25% earn $131,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,360 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $78,730 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 300 chemical engineers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.