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State comparison · 2025

Chemical Engineers salary: Iowa vs Virginia

Occupation

Chemical Engineers in Virginia earn a median of $136,380. In Iowa, $117,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 0.7% — not 13.8%.

Nominal pay gap
-13.8%
Iowa vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
-0.7%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Iowa

Chemical Engineers

Median
$117,590
p25
$92,050
p75
$124,120
p10
$78,610
p90
$134,030
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-83%
See full breakdown for Iowa

Virginia

Chemical Engineers

Median
$136,380
p25
$100,680
p75
$156,080
p10
$92,540
p90
$176,950
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
Hiring velocity (180d)
0%
See full breakdown for Virginia

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.