Salary distribution
Where Michigan chemical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $87,450 and $128,690, with a median of $106,690.
Chemical Engineers in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 39 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $110,000. 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 | 12 | $64,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $106,600 |
| Level III — experienced | 14 | $119,142 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $131,810 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemical Engineers in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY | Senior Research Specialist | 9 | $119,142 |
| University of Michigan | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 7 | $62,234 |
| Michigan Technological University | Research Scientist | 3 | $95,000 |
| Western Michigan University | Post-Graduate Fellow | 2 | $72,705 |
| Henniges Automotive North America, Inc. | Chemical Engineer | 2 | $106,059 |
| Resurgent Innovations, Inc. | Research & Development Engineer | 2 | $76,232 |
| Battelle Memorial Institute | Computational Scientist (Chemical Engineers) | 1 | $117,500 |
| Ionetix Corporation | Senior Production Radiochemist | 1 | $140,608 |
| FORD MOTOR COMPANY | Advanced After treatment Technology Engineer | 1 | $118,518 |
| UNIFIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC | CHEMICAL PROCESS ENGINEER | 1 | $80,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Research Area Specialist Lead at University of Michigan$100,983Ann ArborDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25323-420932
- Computational Scientist (Chemical Engineers) at Battelle Memorial Institute$117,500Rochester HillsDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-361307
- Research Associate at Michigan Technological University$62,000HoughtonWage Level IDecided Sep 16, 2025I-200-25252-296267
- Senior Production Radiochemist at Ionetix Corporation$140,608LansingWage Level IVDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251956
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Michigan$65,000Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-243941
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Michigan$62,234Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-221856
- Post-Graduate Fellow at Western Michigan University$52,957KalamazooWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-120633
- Advanced After treatment Technology Engineer at FORD MOTOR COMPANY$118,518DearbornWage Level IIIDecided Jun 4, 2025I-200-25148-023359
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 Michigan
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 specialties in Michigan
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 21 certified offers. The most common variant is Senior Research Specialist at a median of $119,142.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Research Specialist | THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY | 8 | $119,142 |
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Michigan | 6 | $62,233 |
| Associate Research Scientist | THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY | 4 | $113,405 |
| Chemical Engineer | Henniges Automotive North America, Inc. | 3 | $93,600 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Chemical Engineers in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 39 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $119,142.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY | 15 | $119,142 |
| Education | University of Michigan | 13 | $63,000 |
| Manufacturing | Henniges Automotive North America, Inc. | 8 | $118,518 |
| Energy and utilities | DTE Electric Company | 2 | $124,000 |
| Technology and software | UNIFIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC | 1 | $80,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan 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 Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$108,760
Compare Chemical Engineers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemical Engineers in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Michigan is $106,690.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Chemical Engineers?
- The Michigan median is -5.3% versus the BLS national figure of $112,605.
- What is the salary range for Chemical Engineers in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $64,450 and the 90th-percentile at $157,590, 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.