Chemical Engineer salary in Kentucky
Chemical Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $117,170 a year ($56.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,500 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. Kentucky ranks 19th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.10 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $122,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| 25th percentile | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Median | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| 75th percentile | $136,450 | $65.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,500 | $77.65 |
| Average (mean) | $122,160 | $58.73 |
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 | $9,764.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,882.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,506.54 |
| Weekly | $2,253.27 |
| Hourly | $56.33 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $110,960 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Kentucky is $117,170 a year, or $56.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Kentucky earn at least $161,500 a year. The top 25% earn $136,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,040 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $106,000 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Kentucky?
About 190 chemical engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.