Chemical Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania
Based on 810+ workers in Pennsylvania
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (PA)
$116,970
$56.24/hr
vs National Average
$115,633
+1.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$80K – $178K
810 employed in Pennsylvania
Salary Distribution — Chemical Engineer in Pennsylvania
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,940 |
| 25th percentile | $91,520 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $116,970 |
| 75th percentile | $168,060 |
| 90th percentile | $177,510 |
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Pennsylvania) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $101,820 |
| 2023 | $106,260 |
| 2024 | $107,040 |
| 2025 | $116,970 |
| 2026 (projected) | $123,988 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Pennsylvania Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $101,820 | $104,335 |
| 2023 | $106,260 | $110,377 |
| 2024 | $107,040 | $114,171 |
| 2025 | $116,970 | $115,633 |
| 2026 (projected) | $123,988 | $122,571 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $91,520 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $116,970 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $168,060 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $177,510 |
Chemical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Chemical Engineer Salaries in Pennsylvania
How other high-demand occupations in Pennsylvania compare to Chemical Engineer ($116,970 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in PA | $164,690 | +40.8% | $79.18/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in PA | $133,940 | +14.5% | $64.39/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in PA | $133,250 | +13.9% | $64.06/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in PA | $122,560 | +4.8% | $58.92/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in PA | $110,820 | -5.3% | $53.28/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in PA | $103,330 | -11.7% | $49.68/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in PA | $101,880 | -12.9% | $48.98/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in PA | $99,560 | -14.9% | $47.87/hr |
| Materials Engineer in PA | $98,030 | -16.2% | $47.13/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in PA | $97,920 | -16.3% | $47.08/hr |
| Civil Engineer in PA | $97,850 | -16.3% | $47.04/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in PA | $117,770 | +0.7% | $56.62/hr |