Chemical Engineers Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $135,610 +11.3% vs national
Median hourly $65.20
10th percentile $89,500
90th percentile —
Employed locally 80
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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Chemical Engineers
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $89,500
    25th
    $103,100
    50th (median)
    $135,610
    75th
    $158,320

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 86% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 14% below 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
    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
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $118,010

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Mechanical Engineers $147,730
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in San Jose, CA is $65.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in San Jose, CA is 11.3% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $89,500 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,100.