Chemical Engineer salary in Texas
Chemical Engineers in Texas earn a median of $132,750 a year ($63.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,460 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $125,040. Texas ranks 6th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.18 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $144,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| 25th percentile | $106,910 | $51.40 |
| Median | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| 75th percentile | $167,750 | $80.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,460 | $101.18 |
| Average (mean) | $144,350 | $69.40 |
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 | $11,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,105.77 |
| Weekly | $2,552.88 |
| Hourly | $63.82 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $138,120 | 1,510 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $130,520 | 130 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $129,850 | 140 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $129,790 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $126,690 | 100 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,860 | $46.57 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,560 | $50.27 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $112,410 | $54.05 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,450 | $62.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $115,810 | $55.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $164,860 | $79.26 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $123,440 | $59.34 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| Environmental Engineer | $123,060 | $59.17 |
| Materials Engineer | $117,700 | $56.59 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $152,780 | $73.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Texas is $132,750 a year, or $63.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Texas?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Texas earn at least $210,460 a year. The top 25% earn $167,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,920 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $106,910 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Texas?
About 2,610 chemical engineers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.