Chemical Engineer Salary in Virginia
Based on 790+ workers in Virginia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$136,380
$65.57/hr
vs National Average
$115,633
+17.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$93K – $177K
790 employed in Virginia
Salary Distribution — Chemical Engineer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $92,540 |
| 25th percentile | $100,680 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $136,380 |
| 75th percentile | $156,080 |
| 90th percentile | $176,950 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $96,160 |
| 2024 | $132,550 |
| 2025 | $136,380 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,321 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $96,160 | $104,335 |
| 2024 | $132,550 | $114,171 |
| 2025 | $136,380 | $115,633 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,321 | $118,974 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $100,680 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $136,380 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $156,080 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $176,950 |
Chemical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Chemical Engineer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Chemical Engineer ($136,380 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in VA | $176,160 | +29.2% | $84.69/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in VA | $143,210 | +5.0% | $68.85/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in VA | $128,890 | -5.5% | $61.97/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in VA | $119,030 | -12.7% | $57.23/hr |
| Materials Engineer in VA | $116,720 | -14.4% | $56.12/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in VA | $106,140 | -22.2% | $51.03/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in VA | $104,940 | -23.1% | $50.45/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in VA | $104,180 | -23.6% | $50.09/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in VA | $102,550 | -24.8% | $49.30/hr |
| Civil Engineer in VA | $97,120 | -28.8% | $46.69/hr |
| Software Developer in VA | $136,460 | +0.1% | $65.61/hr |
| Physician Assistant in VA | $135,940 | -0.3% | $65.36/hr |