Chemical Engineer salary in Virginia
Chemical Engineers in Virginia earn a median of $136,380 a year ($65.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,950 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $125,040. Virginia ranks 2nd of 41 states for chemical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.19 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,340, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,540 | $44.49 |
| 25th percentile | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Median | $136,380 | $65.57 |
| 75th percentile | $156,080 | $75.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,950 | $85.07 |
| Average (mean) | $133,340 | $64.11 |
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 | $11,365 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,682.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,245.38 |
| Weekly | $2,622.69 |
| Hourly | $65.57 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $132,820 | 640 |
| Richmond, VA | $117,150 | 60 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,030 | $57.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,550 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $148,160 | $71.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,940 | $50.45 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,890 | $61.97 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Virginia is $136,380 a year, or $65.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Virginia earn at least $176,950 a year. The top 25% earn $156,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,540 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $100,680 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Virginia?
About 790 chemical engineers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.