Chemical Engineers Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $120,300 -1.3% vs national
Median hourly $57.84
10th percentile $79,070
90th percentile $178,270
Employed locally 850
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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Chemical Engineers
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Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $79,070
    25th
    $96,670
    50th (median)
    $120,300
    75th
    $147,930
    90th
    $178,270

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 135% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 35% 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
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $152,290
    Pittsburgh, PA $133,880
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $122,110
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $110,000
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $109,360
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $104,000

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$96,630
    Industrial Engineers$101,040
    Mechanical Engineers$102,180
    Electrical Engineers$125,350
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$100,370
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$65,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Philadelphia?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $57.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.93 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 1.3% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $79,070 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $96,670.