Chemical Engineers Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $135,820 +11.5% vs national
Median hourly $65.30
10th percentile $86,320
90th percentile —
Employed locally 70
National median $121,860

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Chemical Engineers
in
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $86,320
    25th
    $104,150
    50th (median)
    $135,820
    75th
    $184,720

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 201% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 101% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tulsa, OK $169,250
    Albuquerque, NM $163,380
    Oklahoma $160,990
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $152,290
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $151,360
    New Mexico $147,290

    Nearby metros — Chemical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,610
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $122,950
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $122,190
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $120,300
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $119,490
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $118,010

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,160
    Aerospace Engineers $127,900
    Engineers, All Other $142,400
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $124,910
    Mechanical Engineers $116,460
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $98,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Bakersfield?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Bakersfield, CA is $65.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Bakersfield above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Bakersfield, CA is 11.5% above the national median of $121,860. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Engineers in Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $86,320 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,150.