Chemical Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 380+ workers in North Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$117,410
$56.45/hr
vs National Average
$115,633
+1.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$81K – $169K
380 employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Chemical Engineer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,020 |
| 25th percentile | $95,920 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $117,410 |
| 75th percentile | $141,260 |
| 90th percentile | $168,610 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemical Engineers in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $137,180 | 1K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $135,720 | 1K |
| Construction | $131,190 | 400 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $130,810 | 650 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $125,990 | 90 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemical Engineer in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,510 |
| 2023 | $101,900 |
| 2024 | $109,940 |
| 2025 | $117,410 |
| 2026 (projected) | $124,455 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,510 | $104,335 |
| 2023 | $101,900 | $110,377 |
| 2024 | $109,940 | $114,171 |
| 2025 | $117,410 | $115,633 |
| 2026 (projected) | $124,455 | $122,571 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $95,920 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $117,410 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $141,260 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $168,610 |
Chemical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Chemical Engineer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Chemical Engineer ($117,410 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in NC | $167,840 | +43.0% | $80.69/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in NC | $131,850 | +12.3% | $63.39/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in NC | $122,930 | +4.7% | $59.10/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in NC | $110,130 | -6.2% | $52.95/hr |
| Materials Engineer in NC | $104,240 | -11.2% | $50.12/hr |
| Civil Engineer in NC | $100,730 | -14.2% | $48.43/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in NC | $100,720 | -14.2% | $48.42/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in NC | $99,440 | -15.3% | $47.81/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in NC | $99,310 | -15.4% | $47.75/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in NC | $94,790 | -19.3% | $45.57/hr |
| Data Scientist in NC | $119,090 | +1.4% | $57.25/hr |
| Statistician in NC | $115,690 | -1.5% | $55.62/hr |