Chemical Engineer Salary in Washington
Based on 650+ workers in Washington
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$128,290
$61.68/hr
vs National Average
$115,633
+10.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$94K – $185K
650 employed in Washington
Salary Distribution — Chemical Engineer in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $94,160 |
| 25th percentile | $104,300 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $128,290 |
| 75th percentile | $164,630 |
| 90th percentile | $185,360 |
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 Washington 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 Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,120 |
| 2023 | $131,840 |
| 2024 | $130,830 |
| 2025 | $128,290 |
| 2026 (projected) | $128,290 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,120 | $104,335 |
| 2023 | $131,840 | $110,377 |
| 2024 | $130,830 | $114,171 |
| 2025 | $128,290 | $115,633 |
| 2026 (projected) | $128,290 | $115,633 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $104,300 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $128,290 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $164,630 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $185,360 |
Chemical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Chemical Engineer Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Chemical Engineer ($128,290 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in WA | $189,680 | +47.9% | $91.19/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in WA | $158,370 | +23.4% | $76.14/hr |
| Materials Engineer in WA | $139,840 | +9.0% | $67.23/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in WA | $134,800 | +5.1% | $64.81/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in WA | $132,710 | +3.4% | $63.80/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in WA | $129,480 | +0.9% | $62.25/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in WA | $129,050 | +0.6% | $62.04/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in WA | $125,460 | -2.2% | $60.32/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in WA | $110,430 | -13.9% | $53.09/hr |
| Civil Engineer in WA | $110,000 | -14.3% | $52.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in WA | $109,550 | -14.6% | $52.67/hr |
| Database Administrator in WA | $128,760 | +0.4% | $61.90/hr |