Chemical Engineers Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $117,150 -3.9% vs national
Median hourly $56.32
10th percentile $81,630
90th percentile $169,100
Employed locally 60
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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Chemical Engineers
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,630
    25th
    $82,270
    50th (median)
    $117,150
    75th
    $125,390
    90th
    $169,100

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 139% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 39% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $129,930
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $129,040
    Evansville, IN $120,990
    Pennsylvania $107,040
    Nevada $78,220

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $88,920
    Industrial Engineers $100,720
    Electrical Engineers $110,500
    Mechanical Engineers $101,210
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $96,150
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $92,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Richmond?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Richmond, VA is $56.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.30 or more per hour.

    Is Richmond above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Richmond, VA is 3.9% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $81,630 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,270.