Chemical Engineers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $106,200 -12.9% vs national
Median hourly $51.06
10th percentile $88,960
90th percentile $142,660
National median $121,860

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Chemical Engineers
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $88,960
    25th
    $98,990
    50th (median)
    $106,200
    75th
    $131,230
    90th
    $142,660

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 123% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 23% 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
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $135,820
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,610
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $122,950
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $122,190
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $120,300
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $119,490

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$109,250
    Mechanical Engineers$101,800
    Industrial Engineers$103,330
    Engineers, All Other$106,220
    Electrical Engineers$109,360
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Riverside, CA is $51.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.59 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Riverside, CA is 12.9% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $88,960 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,990.