How to become a Chemical Engineer
Official title: Chemical Engineers
Also called: Chemical Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Process Control Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Refinery Process Engineer, Research Chemical Engineer, Scientist
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.
Main tasks
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
How to become one
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained experience in an internship or a cooperative education program.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Engineering degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 49 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $125,040 a year The middle half earn $97,820 to $157,190.
- About 21,900 people work in this job now, and about 22,900 are projected by 2035. (+4.7%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Related jobs
- Transportation Engineers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Aerospace Engineers
- Agricultural Engineers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Chemical Engineer?
To enter the occupation, chemical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained experience in an internship or a cooperative education program.
How much does a Chemical Engineer earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $125,040 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $97,820 to $157,190.
Is a Chemical Engineer a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 21,900 to about 22,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Chemical Engineer?
Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Chemical Engineer?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.