Chemical Engineer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Chemical Engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $117,440 a year ($56.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $117,410. There are 0.32 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,520 | $39.67 |
| 25th percentile | $102,410 | $49.23 |
| Median | $117,440 | $56.46 |
| 75th percentile | $143,040 | $68.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,290 | $78.02 |
| Average (mean) | $124,680 | $59.94 |
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 | $9,786.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,893.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,516.92 |
| Weekly | $2,258.46 |
| Hourly | $56.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $115,890 | 110 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $111,210 | 90 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,940 | $45.16 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $127,710 | $61.40 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $175,110 | $84.19 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $99,050 | $47.62 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $155,680 | $74.85 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,950 | $51.90 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $116,780 | $56.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $117,000 | $56.25 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,620 | $47.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $117,440 a year, or $56.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $162,290 a year. The top 25% earn $143,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,520 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $102,410 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 110 chemical engineers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.