Chemical Engineers Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $113,240 -7.1% vs national
Median hourly $54.44
10th percentile $80,070
90th percentile $176,610
Employed locally 170
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Boulder, CO stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Chemical Engineers
in
Boulder, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,070
    25th
    $87,510
    50th (median)
    $113,240
    75th
    $146,060
    90th
    $176,610

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 110% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 10% 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
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $151,360
    New Mexico $147,290
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $140,900
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $135,860
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $135,830
    Corpus Christi, TX $132,670

    Related occupations in Boulder, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Aerospace Engineers $143,210
    Mechanical Engineers $110,650
    Industrial Engineers $110,710
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $138,600
    Electrical Engineers $127,670
    Civil Engineers $102,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Boulder?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Boulder, CO is $54.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

    Is Boulder above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Boulder, CO is 7.1% below 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 Boulder?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $80,070 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $87,510.