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Chemical Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Chemical Engineers in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $110,760, with 370 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $78,700 at the 10th percentile to $179,020 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$110,760

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$53.25

Employment

370

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$78,700
10th
$94,170
25th
$110,760
Median
$139,520
75th
$179,020
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$110,760

Median annual · 2025

United States

$125,040

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 11.4% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $14,280).

Top skills

  1. 1.ScienceImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  4. 4.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Active LearningImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.9
  9. 9.MathematicsImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.6
  11. 11.SpeakingImportance 3.5
  12. 12.Active ListeningImportance 3.3

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Absorption process simulation software
  • Applied Flow Technology AFT Arrow
  • Applied Flow Technology AFT Fathom
  • AspenTech aspenONE
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • C
  • C++
  • CD-adapco STAR-CAD
  • Cerebro CerebroMix
  • ChemicaLogic SteamTab
  • Chempute Software ChemDraw
  • Chempute Software Engineer's Aide SINET
  • Chempute Software EstPro
  • Chempute Software SuperPro Designer
  • Chempute Software VisiMix

Common tasks

  • Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
  • Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
  • Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
  • Design and plan layout of equipment.
  • Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
  • Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
  • Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
  • Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Chemical Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL