Chemical Engineers

Also Called: Chemical Engineer, Engineer, Process Engineer, Scientist

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$75,650

Entry Salary

Average

Job outlook

What Chemical Engineers do

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

  • Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
  • Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
  • Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Construction • Renewable Resources and Energy

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Telephone
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Duration of Typical Work Week

Tools

  • Laboratory mixers
  • Robotic or automated liquid handling systems
  • Ultrafiltration equipment
  • Catalytic combustion analyzers
  • Chromatographic scanners

Technology

Analytical or scientific software
Minitab
The MathWorks MATLAB
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes CATIA

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Science
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Mathematics

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
product and service development
design
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
chemistry
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Arts and Humanities
English language

Education

  • 82% Bachelor's degree
  • 9% Master's degree
  • 9% Doctoral degree

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, & Blasters

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologists & Technicians

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Chemical Engineers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Alamance Community College

    Graham, NC

  • Allan Hancock College

    Santa Maria, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Initiative

Values

  • Recognition
  • Achievement
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Ideas and Logic
  • Math
  • Verbal
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Chemical Engineers across the country typically make.

$36.37 / hour
$75,650 /year

Entry Level

$53.90 / hour
$112,100 /year

Median Level

$84.82 / hour
$176,420 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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