Chemical Engineers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $135,830 +11.5% vs national
Median hourly $65.30
10th percentile $78,990
90th percentile $177,080
Employed locally 150
National median $121,860

Compare Chemical Engineers salary & buying power

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Chemical Engineers
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,990
    25th
    $106,190
    50th (median)
    $135,830
    75th
    $162,470
    90th
    $177,080

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 121% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 21% 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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $139,560
    Delaware $131,330
    Washington $130,830
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $129,930
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $129,040
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $122,660

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$107,930
    Electrical Engineers$135,480
    Mechanical Engineers$117,930
    Industrial Engineers$126,310
    Aerospace Engineers$174,130
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$98,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Seattle, WA is $65.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $86.17 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Seattle, WA is 11.5% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $78,990 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $106,190.