Chemical Engineer salary in Washington
Chemical Engineers in Washington earn a median of $128,290 a year ($61.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $125,040. Washington ranks 9th 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 $134,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,160 | $45.27 |
| 25th percentile | $104,300 | $50.15 |
| Median | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| 75th percentile | $164,630 | $79.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,360 | $89.12 |
| Average (mean) | $134,910 | $64.86 |
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 | $10,690.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,345.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,934.23 |
| Weekly | $2,467.12 |
| Hourly | $61.68 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $131,690 | 70 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $130,030 | 320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,200 | 230 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | $63.81 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| Engineers, All Other | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Materials Engineer | $139,840 | $67.23 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for chemical engineers in Washington is $128,290 a year, or $61.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Washington?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in Washington earn at least $185,360 a year. The top 25% earn $164,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,160 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $104,300 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Washington?
About 650 chemical engineers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.