Chemical Engineer salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Chemical Engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $128,110 a year ($61.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,180 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $125,800. There are 0.26 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $127,710, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,600 | $38.27 |
| 25th percentile | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Median | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| 75th percentile | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,180 | $94.32 |
| Average (mean) | $127,710 | $61.40 |
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 | $10,675.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,337.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,927.31 |
| Weekly | $2,463.65 |
| Hourly | $61.59 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $128,180 | $61.62 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,260 | $61.18 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,020 | $57.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $156,190 | $75.09 |
| Engineers, All Other | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $144,660 | $69.55 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,880 | $51.86 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $174,580 | $83.93 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $93,100 | $44.76 |
| Materials Engineer | $125,750 | $60.46 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $101,060 | $48.59 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $128,110 a year, or $61.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $196,180 a year. The top 25% earn $152,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,600 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $100,780 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 410 chemical engineers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.