Chemical Engineer salary in North Carolina
Chemical Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $117,410 a year ($56.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,610 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. North Carolina ranks 18th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.08 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $123,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| 25th percentile | $95,920 | $46.12 |
| Median | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| 75th percentile | $141,260 | $67.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,610 | $81.06 |
| Average (mean) | $123,550 | $59.40 |
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 | $9,784.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,892.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,515.77 |
| Weekly | $2,257.88 |
| Hourly | $56.45 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,440 | 110 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for chemical engineers in North Carolina is $117,410 a year, or $56.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in North Carolina earn at least $168,610 a year. The top 25% earn $141,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,020 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $95,920 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in North Carolina?
About 380 chemical engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.