Chemical engineer outlook Oct 22, 2024 · The job outlook for chemical engineers is positive, with employment projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Vacancies for this career have decreased by 15. The median annual wage for petroleum engineers was $141,280 in May 2024. Despite potential shifts in job demand, the ongoing need for innovation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship ensures a solid foundation for career growth. Author: * Send Email To: Chemical & Engineering News will not share your email address with any other person or company. ” Using chemical engineering as a launch pad to pursue your passion Chemical engineers need a four-year college degree. While the majority of chemical engineers (about 32 percent) work in manufacturing industries, others are employed by federal and state government agencies, colleges and universities, and research and testing services. Tesla hires chemEs for process safety roles. Chemical engineers earn relatively high starting salaries for positions requiring only a bachelor's degree. view profile » View an Occupation Profile for Chemical Engineers. Job Outlook Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. In combination with other careers in the Chemical / Process Engineer industry, which includes the Chemical Engineer (General) career, the following graph shows the number of people employed for each year since 2016: Jun 4, 2024 · Employment outlook. This represents growth of about 2,500 chemical engineering positions from 2016 levels. Most chemical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. How to Become a Chemical Engineer. Pay. According to PayScale. Jul 3, 2018 · The core chemical engineering courses — separations, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and transport phenomena — empower chemical engineers to move into careers in process software, biotech, and biomedical, among other fields. The following factors contributed to this outlook: Employment growth will lead to a few new positions. Employment Outlook for Chemical Engineers. Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chemical engineers with similar occupations. Comprehensive reports include occupation requirements, worker characteristics, and available training, education, and job Mar 5, 2024 · The career outlook for chemical engineers in the United States is promising, with a ballpark growth of 14% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. It’s in the same ballpark as Physics, Math, ECE, and Nuclear. Salary: The median annual wage for chemical engineers is $105,550. What is the career outlook for a chemical engineer? According to the BLS, chemical engineering jobs are predicted to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030. They are at the forefront Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Chemical Research Engineer, Fuels Engineer, Oxidation Engineer, Plastics Engineer, Polymerization Engineer, Refinery Process Engineer . Feb 5, 2025 · However, when adjusting these numbers for inflation, the 2023 overall median salary for chemical engineers had approximately $9,000 less buying power than the 2021 overall median salary. To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Chemical Engineers. 7:1. How Could I Advance My Career? West coast has big tech which hires some chemEs. Jul 24, 2024 · The projected chemical engineer job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Chemical Engineer Position Trends and Outlook. Plus insurance companies are always looking for experienced engineers too. S. A ratio of ~5. A chemical engineer is a professional with knowledge in the field of chemical engineering. Chemical engineers are paid most in Knox County (Southwest) PUMA, TN but are relatively concentrated in Houston City (West Central)--South of I-10 & Inside Loop I-610 PUMA, TX. 4 percent), and civil engineers (8. Here’s what’s trending and what the future looks like for chemical engineers: Sustainability and environment: There’s a big push to make everything more eco-friendly. A chemical engineer typically designs and operates equipment used in the production of chemical products. Employers also value practical experience, which students sometimes gain through internships. See full list on indeed. The chemical engineering field is expected to grow 8% through 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Several positions will become available due to retirements. Really? I didn’t expect to be handed a well-paid job on a silver platter, but I was definitely disappointed with the job outlook. I graduated from a top 30 chemical engineering school with a decent GPA (3. About 1,400 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. com, entry-level chemical engineers earned an average of $68,605, as of December 2021. Jan 1, 2025 · The industrial sector consumes more than 80% of basic and specialty chemicals. Global industrial production is expected to have increased by 1. As per the U. Chemical Production Engineers bridge the gap between Employment and salary information for the Chemical engineers workforce. Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Demand for chemical engineers’ services depends largely on demand for the products of various Feb 29, 2024 · Chemical Engineering is a very lucrative field and there is very positive outlook – higher than average relative to other traditional engineering fields (non-tech related). Job Outlook: Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 14 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations. Traditionally, chemical engineers work in those industries whose products are needed by manufacturing firms. 4 percent). 41 Over the same time period, the number of chemical companies reporting scope 1 and 2 emissions rose by 46%, encompassing more than 50% of the entire industry, and scope 3 emissions reporting rose by 83% Chemical Engineer: Job Duties, Occupational Outlook, and Education Requirements Explore what it takes to become a chemical engineer. These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024. Dec 11, 2024 · Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "chemical engineer" in Canada. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations. Apr 18, 2025 · Chemical engineers typically work in an office setting or in laboratories. Some chemical engineers work more than 40 hours per week. Apr 18, 2025 · Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Also called: Chemical Engineer, Engineer, Process Engineer, Scientist What they do: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. This is why so many chemical engineers end up industry/roles that are MORE than 1 removed from chemical engineering. 0 percent from 2014 to 2024, adding about 65,000 new jobs. Here are the main differences between an electrical engineer and a chemical engineer. What is the career outlook for Chemical Engineers? The career outlook for Chemical Engineers is generally positive. Chemical Engineer. According to job descriptions, I meet many of the criteria for process engineering roles. 01 percent Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. Before consulting, I was employed full-time as a process engineer at a pharmaceutical facility. Among engineering specialties, several are projected to grow even faster than the 4-percent growth for engineers or the 6. 2021-2029 career outlook and in-depth research for Chemical Engineer careers. Chemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp and paper, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering. Learn about educational and professional requirements, job duties, salary, and potential job growth to see if this is the career is right for you. Midwest has lots of ethanol plants and smaller chemical plants. Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. Keywords: Applications Chemical engineering Machine learning Models Optimization May 1, 2025 · Chemical Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field. troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes. Dec 11, 2024 · The employment outlook will be moderate for Chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period. You don’t like Chemistry? The employment outlook will be good for Chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in the census metropolitan area of Montréal, including the Laval region, for the 2023-2025 period. About 1,300 openings for chemical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. com O*NET OnLine provides detailed descriptions of the world-of-work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more. IMO, Chemical Engineering is an extremely difficult degree, probably top-5. 3% The overall demand for chemicals remained weak in 2024, but strong growth areas were new investments in chemicals for the semiconductor and electronics industries, battery development and Nov 24, 2024 · While I cannot predict the exact job outlook for chemical engineering, I can provide some data that might help you to make an informed decision. Chemical engineers workforce in 2022 was 80,772 people, of which 19. Worldwide, industrial activity saw a modest recovery in 2024. Not many positions will become available due to retirements. Chemical Engineer Job Outlook Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Consider developing the following skill sets to advance your career and be successful on the job: Technical skills Chemical engineers have specialized technical skills in chemical applications, engineering principles and research and development Chemical Production Engineer : Duties, Education, Salary, and Career Outlook A Chemical Production Engineer plays a critical role in the manufacturing and production process within industries that involve chemical processes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. 9% were men. Apr 3, 2024 · Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 17-2041 Chemical Engineers. By keeping informed about these developments, chemical engineers can place themselves at the forefront of exciting and impactful career opportunities. The world of chemical engineering is always evolving, driven by new tech and the needs of society. Insights Discover career opportunities with access to in-depth data on industry outlook, AIChE is the world’s leading organization for chemical engineering The demand for chemical engineering services relies on the demand for the products of different manufacturing industries. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 4,700 chemical engineers. Title: C&EN’s World Chemical Outlook for 2025. They work in industries that process and manufacture chemicals, creating a variety of products. There were 61 Chemical Engineer (General) job postings in North Carolina in the past year and 1945 in the United States. The following factors contributed to this outlook: Employment is expected to remain relatively stable. Individuals can find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on their goals and needs. Employers. With the increasing concern over political issues such as climate change, sustainability, and environmental health overall, Chemical Engineers are necessary to carry out The chemical industry’s greenhouse gas intensity dropped by 7. But in the not-too-distant future, chemical engineers' modeling toolbox will include a reliable machine learning component. Job Outlook. Aug 24, 2022 · The Job Outlook For Chemical Engineers. Explore future job prospects by province and territory. 1 percent), environmental engineers (12. On average, there are estimated to be around 2,000 job openings for chemical engineers each year over the course of the decade. The emerging job markets for chemical engineers in 2024 reflect broader trends toward sustainability, technological innovation, and health advancements. Back To Top. Confident · 3,246 Salaries submitted · Updated 10 Apr 2025 3,246 Salaries submitted · Updated 10 Apr 2025 Chemical Engineers can work in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, energy, food processing, environmental engineering, materials science, biotechnology, and many others. Most have degrees in chemical engineering, although some have specialized degrees in biochemical, petroleum, metallurgical, or sanitation engineering. Apr 18, 2025 · Chemical Engineers: Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper. There are approximately 21,400 chemical engineers working in the United States. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who Chemical engineers may find positions like process engineer, research scientist, environmental engineer, and product development engineer, among others. Explore career opportunities, work conditions, key abilities, and salary projections for Chemical Engineers. About 3,700 new jobs for chemical engineers are projected over the next decade. Job Outlook Mar 26, 2025 · Chemical engineers rely on a range of both hard and soft skills to be successful in their careers. This job growth the majority of chemical engineers are potentially vulnerable to the development of artificial intelligence. Chemical engineer salaries have increased 10% for chemical engineers in the last 5 years. You struggle with Physics? ChemE will wreck you. A Chemical Production Engineer plays a critical role in the manufacturing and production process within industries that involve chemical processes. The BLS estimates approximately 1,800 job openings to become available each year during that period. Find out which areas will experience the highest growth. Bachelor's degree: $121,860: Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians Jul 18, 2023 · If you're considering a career as a chemical engineer in the manufacturing industry, the outlook for the next five years is bright. 9% between 2018 and 2022. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate for chemical engineers from 2019 to 2029 is 4%, which is about the average for all occupations. The employment outlook will be good for Chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in the Thompson - Okanagan region for the 2024-2026 period. 5-percent growth for all occupations: biomedical engineers (23. Apr 18, 2025 · Chemical Engineers. LNG is hot rn. Electrical Engineer vs. That number is based on 1,700 additional chemical engineers, and the retirement of 3,000 What is the job outlook? Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for chemical engineers’ services depends largely on demand for the products of various manufacturing industries. Breakdown by province and territory. ~1500 positions for ~8500 people. Find salaries, employment projections, typical training, job duties and more for any occupation. These professionals are responsible for overseeing the design, operation, and optimization of large-scale chemical production systems to ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing. Dec 19, 2022 · The employment outlook for chemical engineers is favorable, with the BLS projecting that the number of positions in the field will grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030, which is about as fast as the projected average. Bachelor's degree: $121,860: Chemists and Materials Scientists So ~1500 "Chemical Engineers" per BLS vacate "open" "Chemical engineering" roles yearly. Any utility company that owns or operates natural gas pipelines needs chemical engineers. 4% and its energy efficiency improved by 6. Bachelor's degree: $121,860: Chemical Technicians: Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of Jul 19, 2023 · If you're interested in becoming a chemical engineer, you'll be happy to hear that the career outlook is positive in the science industry over the next five years. Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. Chemical engineer Job Chemical Engineers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more Education Required Chemical engineers must have a bachelors degree in chemical engineering or a related field. There are over 16,138 chemical engineers currently employed in the United States. Quebec offers the highest pay of CAD 149,888 per year for chemical engineers; The average salary for a chemical engineer is CAD 119,814 per year; Chemical engineers can migrate to Canada through 7 pathways; Work 35 – 40 hours a week *Check your eligibility to Canada with Y-Axis Canada CRS Points Calculator for free. Founded in 1916-17, chemical engineering has grown from being a program that taught students to design, Chemical Engineer salaries in Outlook, WA. The following factors contributed to this outlook: Employment growth will lead to several new positions. CareerExplorer rates chemical engineers with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Job Duties. 1% were women and 80. As of May 2020, the BLS reports that the average salary for chemical engineers was $114,820. Electrical and chemical engineers fulfill different roles in their respective fields. Employment growth relies heavily on the ability of chemical engineers to stay at the forefront of new technologies. Job opportunities over the next 3 years. Oct 6, 2016 · Employment of engineers is projected to grow 4. 5). The overall job outlook for Chemical Engineer careers has been negative since 2004. Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Programs in chemical engineering usually take 4 years to complete and include classroom, laboratory, and field studies. This year, the Salary Survey will once again investigate how inflation has impacted the financial outlook of chemical engineers. Description: Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. zapiyjzba bhnejp plj kdnzi qkuvss liniy nsyj ktcqm uegy imzy