Chemical Engineer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Chemical Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $111,210 a year ($53.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,910 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $117,410. There are 0.12 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $123,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| 25th percentile | $94,460 | $45.41 |
| Median | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| 75th percentile | $146,210 | $70.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,910 | $82.17 |
| Average (mean) | $123,830 | $59.53 |
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 | $9,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,633.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,277.31 |
| Weekly | $2,138.65 |
| Hourly | $53.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,440 | 110 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $115,890 | 110 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $162,800 | $78.27 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,050 | $55.31 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $130,300 | $62.65 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $111,210 a year, or $53.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $170,910 a year. The top 25% earn $146,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,020 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $94,460 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 90 chemical engineers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.