Chemical Engineers Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $129,930 +6.6% vs national
Median hourly $62.47
10th percentile $93,640
90th percentile $189,430
Employed locally 120
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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Chemical Engineers
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $93,640
    25th
    $114,280
    50th (median)
    $129,930
    75th
    $159,990
    90th
    $189,430

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 137% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 37% 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
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $140,900
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $133,210
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $133,070
    Corpus Christi, TX $132,670
    New York $132,480

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $126,530
    Civil Engineers $104,360
    Electrical Engineers $114,130
    Mechanical Engineers $103,010
    Engineers, All Other $129,550
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $77,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Portland, OR-WA is $62.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.62 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Portland, OR-WA is 6.6% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $93,640 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $114,280.