Chemical Engineer salary in Madison, WI
Chemical Engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $97,190 a year ($46.73 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $74,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,720 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $97,660. The average (mean) salary is $99,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,640 | $35.89 |
| 25th percentile | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Median | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| 75th percentile | $113,690 | $54.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,720 | $62.85 |
| Average (mean) | $99,570 | $47.87 |
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 | $8,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,049.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,738.08 |
| Weekly | $1,869.04 |
| Hourly | $46.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $122,730 | 170 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,680 | $47.93 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Environmental Engineer | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Materials Engineer | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,210 | $34.71 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,210 | $47.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Madison, WI metro area is $97,190 a year, or $46.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $130,720 a year. The top 25% earn $113,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,640 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $83,550 or less.