Chemical Engineer salary in Columbus, OH
Chemical Engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $110,860 a year ($53.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,790 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is about the same as the Ohio statewide median of $111,200. There are 0.16 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $119,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| 25th percentile | $90,930 | $43.71 |
| Median | $110,860 | $53.30 |
| 75th percentile | $148,310 | $71.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,790 | $81.15 |
| Average (mean) | $119,970 | $57.68 |
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 | $9,238.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,619.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,263.85 |
| Weekly | $2,131.92 |
| Hourly | $53.30 |
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 |
| Akron, OH | $108,710 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $108,350 | 240 |
| 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,500 | $60.34 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,190 | $61.15 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $113,570 | $54.60 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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, OH?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $110,860 a year, or $53.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $168,790 a year. The top 25% earn $148,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,940 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $90,930 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Columbus, OH?
About 170 chemical engineers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.