Chemical Engineer salary in Columbus, IN
Chemical Engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $109,190 a year ($52.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,750 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 4% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $113,160. 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 $115,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,880 | $50.91 |
| 25th percentile | $109,190 | $52.49 |
| Median | $109,190 | $52.49 |
| 75th percentile | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| Average (mean) | $115,550 | $55.55 |
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 | $9,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,549.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,199.62 |
| Weekly | $2,099.81 |
| Hourly | $52.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $120,990 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $118,010 | n/a |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $110,960 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $110,760 | 370 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $107,610 | 300 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $127,700 | $61.40 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,480 | $46.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,460 | $39.65 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,230 | $29.44 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area is $109,190 a year, or $52.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $121,750 a year. The top 25% earn $121,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,880 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $109,190 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Columbus, IN?
About 40 chemical engineers are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.