Salary distribution
Where Colorado chemical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,620 and $140,900, with a median of $131,740.
Chemical Engineers in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 10 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $111,946. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $82,400 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $132,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $131,851 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemical Engineers in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC | Researcher I - Chemical Engineering | 4 | $81,848 |
| USA RARE EARTH, LLC | Lead Process Engineer | 1 | $132,787 |
| PCS Administration (USA), Inc. | Sr Manager, Capital Portfolio | 1 | $128,939 |
| Holcim (US) Inc. | Sr. Process Engineer | 1 | $131,851 |
| Danisco US Inc. | Technical Services Account Manager | 1 | $94,952 |
| Gevo, Inc. | Ethanol Plant Engineer | 1 | $165,000 |
| OSM Shield, Inc. | Technology and Lab Manager | 1 | $132,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Researcher I - Chemical Engineering at Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC$81,848GoldenDecided Dec 8, 2025I-200-25335-444917
- Lead Process Engineer at USA RARE EARTH, LLC$132,787Wheat RidgeWage Level IVDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-130994
- Sr Manager, Capital Portfolio at PCS Administration (USA), Inc.$128,939LOVELANDWage Level IVDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-019211
- Sr. Process Engineer at Holcim (US) Inc.$131,851FlorenceWage Level IVDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-002382
- Technical Services Account Manager at Danisco US Inc.$94,952DenverWage Level IIDecided Apr 7, 2025I-200-25091-816100
- Ethanol Plant Engineer at Gevo, Inc.$165,000EnglewoodWage Level IIDecided Feb 28, 2025I-200-25052-714442
- Postdoctoral Researcher - Directors Fellowship at Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC$82,400GoldenWage Level IIDecided Feb 20, 2025I-200-25043-687144
- Postdoctoral Researcher - Chemical Engineering at Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC$77,002GoldenWage Level IIDecided Jan 13, 2025I-200-25003-592559
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Chemical Engineers pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Chemical Engineers in Colorado, by industry
Median offered wage across 10 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $81,848.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC | 4 | $81,848 |
| Manufacturing | Holcim (US) Inc. | 4 | $131,926 |
| Energy and utilities | USA RARE EARTH, LLC | 1 | $132,787 |
| Retail and wholesale | PCS Administration (USA), Inc. | 1 | $128,939 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 5.0 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Production and Processing
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Complex Problem Solving
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- 02
Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- 03
Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
- 04
Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- 05
Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- 06
Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- 07
Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.
- 08
Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+2.3%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for chemical engineers in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$140,900
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemical Engineers in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Colorado is $131,740.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Chemical Engineers?
- The Colorado median is +17.0% versus the BLS national figure of $112,605.
- What is the salary range for Chemical Engineers in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,490 and the 90th-percentile at $169,990, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Chemical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 2.3% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Chemical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.