Chemical Engineer salary in Oregon
Chemical Engineers in Oregon earn a median of $116,950 a year ($56.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,610 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. Oregon ranks 21st of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.07 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $121,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| 25th percentile | $95,300 | $45.82 |
| Median | $116,950 | $56.23 |
| 75th percentile | $138,140 | $66.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,610 | $80.10 |
| Average (mean) | $121,660 | $58.49 |
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 | $9,745.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,872.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,498.08 |
| Weekly | $2,249.04 |
| Hourly | $56.23 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $131,690 | 70 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $103,470 | $49.74 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,160 | $60.17 |
| Engineers, All Other | $123,220 | $59.24 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $124,400 | $59.81 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,100 | $61.10 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $124,630 | $59.92 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $122,510 | $58.90 |
| Materials Engineer | $122,850 | $59.06 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $96,210 | $46.25 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,990 | $37.50 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Oregon is $116,950 a year, or $56.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Oregon?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Oregon earn at least $166,610 a year. The top 25% earn $138,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,080 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $95,300 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Oregon?
About 140 chemical engineers are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.