Chemical Engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Chemical Engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $152,290 a year ($73.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,940 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 30% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $116,970. There are 0.10 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $139,050, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,940 | $43.24 |
| 25th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Median | $152,290 | $73.22 |
| 75th percentile | $174,940 | $84.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,940 | $84.11 |
| Average (mean) | $139,050 | $66.85 |
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 | $12,690.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,345.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,857.31 |
| Weekly | $2,928.65 |
| Hourly | $73.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,770 | 790 |
| Reading, PA | $100,190 | 50 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,420 | $54.05 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $130,230 | $62.61 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $115,320 | $55.44 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $133,250 | $64.06 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| Materials Engineer | $92,740 | $44.59 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,390 | $61.73 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $74,900 | $36.01 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $152,290 a year, or $73.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $174,940 a year. The top 25% earn $174,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,940 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $96,720 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 110 chemical engineers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.