Chemical Engineers in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky chemical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $106,000 and $136,450, with a median of $117,170.
Chemical Engineers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $89,986. 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 I — entry | 4 | $73,318 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $97,160 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $122,928 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemical Engineers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS | AP Process Engineer | 2 | $89,986 |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | Postdoctoral Scholar | 2 | $55,825 |
| CertainTeed Gypsum, Inc. | Process Engineer | 1 | $95,000 |
| CFW Associated Engineers, Inc. | Chemical Engineer | 1 | $99,320 |
| VGP Holdings LLC | Senior Staff Scientist | 1 | $122,928 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Senior Staff Scientist at VGP Holdings LLC$122,928LexingtonWage Level IIIDecided Feb 26, 2026I-200-26050-650304
- Postdoctoral Scholar at UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY$56,650LexingtonWage Level IDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-627618
- Process Engineer at CertainTeed Gypsum, Inc.$95,000CarrolltonWage Level IIDecided Dec 17, 2025I-200-25344-471945
- Chemical Engineer at CFW Associated Engineers, Inc.$99,320LouisvilleWage Level IIDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-960010
- AP Process Engineer at NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS$89,986GhentWage Level IDecided May 8, 2025I-200-25121-928062
- AP Project Engineer at NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS$89,986GhentWage Level IDecided May 8, 2025I-200-25121-928051
- Postdoctoral Scholar at UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY$55,000LexingtonWage Level IDecided Feb 11, 2026I-200-26035-620301
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.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Chemical Engineers pay by experience level in Kentucky
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 Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $92,493.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS | 4 | $92,493 |
| Education | UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | 2 | $55,825 |
| Professional services | CFW Associated Engineers, Inc. | 1 | $99,320 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Chemical Engineers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for chemical engineers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$110,960
Compare Chemical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemical Engineers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Kentucky is $117,170.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Chemical Engineers?
- The Kentucky median is +12.6% versus the BLS national figure of $104,075.
- What is the salary range for Chemical Engineers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $89,040 and the 90th-percentile at $161,500, 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.