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State comparison · 2025

Chemical Engineers salary: Alabama vs Illinois

Occupation

Chemical Engineers in Alabama earn a median of $135,030. In Illinois, $121,560. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.1% — not 11.1%.

Nominal pay gap
+11.1%
Alabama vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+25.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Alabama

Chemical Engineers

Median
$135,030
p25
$96,820
p75
$141,840
p10
$77,750
p90
$164,700
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.8
See full breakdown for Alabama

Illinois

Chemical Engineers

Median
$121,560
p25
$95,800
p75
$140,010
p10
$79,120
p90
$176,110
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-73%
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.