Chemical Engineers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $152,290 +25% vs national
Median hourly $73.22
10th percentile $98,880
90th percentile $211,090
Employed locally 1,800
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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

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Chemical Engineers
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $98,880
    25th
    $125,200
    50th (median)
    $152,290
    75th
    $179,140
    90th
    $211,090

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 189% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 89% 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
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $151,360
    New Mexico $147,290
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $140,900

    Nearby metros — Chemical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $135,860
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $133,210
    Corpus Christi, TX $132,670
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $125,410
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $108,240

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,690
    Industrial Engineers $116,170
    Mechanical Engineers $126,870
    Petroleum Engineers $159,990
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $60,880
    Electrical Engineers $110,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Houston, TX is $73.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $104.45 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Houston, TX is 25% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $98,880 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $125,200.