Chemical Engineer salary in Colorado
Chemical Engineers in Colorado earn a median of $125,800 a year ($60.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,640 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $125,040. Colorado ranks 14th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.25 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,130 | $38.53 |
| 25th percentile | $97,490 | $46.87 |
| Median | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| 75th percentile | $150,280 | $72.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,640 | $90.69 |
| Average (mean) | $126,060 | $60.61 |
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 cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $139,220 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $128,110 | 410 |
| Boulder, CO | $125,800 | 190 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,430 | $59.82 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,010 | $61.06 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,750 | $52.77 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $156,190 | $75.09 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $156,080 | $75.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $172,190 | $82.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Materials Engineer | $124,030 | $59.63 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $88,650 | $42.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Colorado is $125,800 a year, or $60.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Colorado earn at least $188,640 a year. The top 25% earn $150,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,130 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $97,490 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Colorado?
About 720 chemical engineers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.