Chemical Engineers: 21,070 jobs, median pay $125,040 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

21,070

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$125,040

Median pay a year

Middle half: $97,820–$157,190

1,100

Annual openings

10-year change: +4.7%

1,048

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

+15.2% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 81 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $138,120 · LCA filings 1101,510$138,120110

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $109,460 · LCA filings 87910$109,46087

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $127,770 · LCA filings 32790$127,77032

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 69670n/a69

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $132,820 · LCA filings 19640$132,82019

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 68620n/a68

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $126,830 · LCA filings 57510$126,83057

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $128,110 · LCA filings 8410$128,1108

Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $102,320 · LCA filings 3380$102,3203

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $110,760 · LCA filings 43370$110,76043

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Albuquerque, NMEmployment 80 · LCA filings 1$163,380801

Pittsburgh, PAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 14$152,29011014

Fort Collins–Loveland, COEmployment 40 · LCA filings 1$139,220401

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 1,510 · LCA filings 110$138,1201,510110

Mobile, ALEmployment 150 · LCA filings 3$137,1701503

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 60 · Employment 1,510110601,510

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 40 · Employment 9108740910

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 34 · Employment 6706934670

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 34 · Employment 6206834620

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 46 · Employment 5105746510

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $131,830 · Level III $155,522 · Level IV $179,192$108,160$131,830$155,522$179,192

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $94,994 · Level III $117,624 · Level IV $140,234$72,384$94,994$117,624$140,234

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $107,557 · Level III $128,752 · Level IV $149,968$86,341$107,557$128,752$149,968

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $107,349 · Level III $129,750 · Level IV $152,173$84,926$107,349$129,750$152,173

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $114,275 · Level III $135,533 · Level IV $156,790$93,018$114,275$135,533$156,790

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $107,349 · Level III $129,750 · Level IV $152,173$84,926$107,349$129,750$152,173

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $105,976 · Level III $126,048 · Level IV $146,120$85,904$105,976$126,048$146,120

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $105,622 · Level III $127,504 · Level IV $149,365$83,762$105,622$127,504$149,365

Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $101,962 · Level III $115,149 · Level IV $128,336$88,774$101,962$115,149$128,336

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $100,880 · Level III $121,035 · Level IV $141,190$80,725$100,880$121,035$141,190

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Chemical EngineeringCIP 14.07STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,966STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Biochemical EngineeringCIP 14.43STEM OPT · up to 36 months12STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Polymer/Plastics EngineeringCIP 14.32STEM OPT · up to 36 months44STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Chemical Engineers in every metro area

All 81 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Architecture & Engineering

Industrial Engineers Civil Engineers Mechanical Engineers Electrical Engineers Architectural and Civil Drafters Engineers, All Other Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Architects, except Landscape and Naval

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology