Chemical Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Chemical Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $117,150 a year ($56.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,100 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 14% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $136,380. There are 0.09 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $119,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,630 | $39.24 |
| 25th percentile | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Median | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| 75th percentile | $125,390 | $60.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,100 | $81.30 |
| Average (mean) | $119,540 | $57.47 |
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 | $9,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,881.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,505.77 |
| Weekly | $2,252.88 |
| Hourly | $56.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $132,820 | 640 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $117,150 a year, or $56.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $169,100 a year. The top 25% earn $125,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,630 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $82,270 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 60 chemical engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.