Chemical Engineers in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Washington chemical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $104,300 and $164,630, with a median of $128,290.
Chemical Engineers in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 16 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $89,138. 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 | 10 | $74,090 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $110,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $109,094 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $175,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemical Engineers in Washington. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battelle Memorial Institute | PhD Intern (Chemical Engineer) | 11 | $93,390 |
| Washington State University | Associate In Research | 2 | $73,633 |
| 1st American Nuclear Company | Principal Process Engineer | 1 | $175,000 |
| Just-Evotec Biologics, Inc. | Senior Process Engineer | 1 | $140,000 |
| Minutri Inc. | Senior Scientist | 1 | $84,885 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineers) at Battelle Memorial Institute$98,310RichlandWage Level IDecided Mar 20, 2026I-200-26072-702439
- Senior Process Engineer at Just-Evotec Biologics, Inc.$140,000RedmondWage Level IIIDecided Mar 18, 2026I-200-26070-697238
- Principal Process Engineer at 1st American Nuclear Company$175,000RichlandWage Level IVDecided Dec 1, 2025I-203-25325-428654
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University$69,079PullmanWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251737
- PhD Intern (Chemical Engineer) at Battelle Memorial Institute$66,144RichlandWage Level IDecided Aug 20, 2025I-200-25225-239804
- Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) at Battelle Memorial Institute$98,915RichlandWage Level IDecided Aug 18, 2025I-200-25223-234068
- Senior Scientist at Minutri Inc.$84,885SeattleWage Level IDecided Aug 15, 2025I-200-25220-231486
- Chemical Engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute$93,390RichlandWage Level IDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-156149
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.
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Chemical Engineers pay by experience level in Washington
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 Washington
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 10 certified offers. The most common variant is PhD Intern (Chemical Engineer) at a median of $69,472.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Intern (Chemical Engineer) | Battelle Memorial Institute | 4 | $69,472 |
| Chemical Engineer | Battelle Memorial Institute | 3 | $110,000 |
| Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) | Battelle Memorial Institute | 3 | $98,915 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Chemical Engineers in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 16 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $89,138.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Battelle Memorial Institute | 12 | $89,138 |
| Education | Washington State University | 2 | $73,633 |
| Energy and utilities | 1st American Nuclear Company | 1 | $175,000 |
| Manufacturing | Just-Evotec Biologics, Inc. | 1 | $140,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington 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.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Washington
Metro-level salary data for chemical engineers in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$125,200
Compare Chemical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemical Engineers in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemical Engineers in Washington is $128,290.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Chemical Engineers?
- The Washington median is +23.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,075.
- What is the salary range for Chemical Engineers in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $94,160 and the 90th-percentile at $185,360, 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.