Chemical Engineer salary in Iowa
Chemical Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $117,590 a year ($56.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,030 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. Iowa ranks 17th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.03 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $112,070, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.80 |
| 25th percentile | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Median | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| 75th percentile | $124,120 | $59.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,030 | $64.44 |
| Average (mean) | $112,070 | $53.88 |
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 | $9,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,899.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,522.69 |
| Weekly | $2,261.35 |
| Hourly | $56.54 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $98,480 | 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Materials Engineer | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,120 | $60.15 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $96,290 | $46.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Iowa is $117,590 a year, or $56.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Iowa earn at least $134,030 a year. The top 25% earn $124,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,610 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $92,050 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Iowa?
About 40 chemical engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.