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 $109,310 and $163,890, with a median of $130,830.
Chemical Engineers in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $93,390. 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 | 8 | $81,693 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $116,374 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $78,187 |
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 | Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) | 9 | $97,801 |
| Washington State University | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 2 | $73,633 |
| 1st American Nuclear Company | Principal Process Engineer | 1 | $175,000 |
| Minutri Inc. | Senior Scientist | 1 | $84,885 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Principal Process Engineer at 1st American Nuclear Company$175,000RichlandDecided Dec 1, 2025I-203-25325-428654
- Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) at Battelle Memorial Institute$100,420RichlandDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-371178
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University$69,079PullmanWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251737
- Senior Scientist at Minutri Inc.$84,885SeattleWage Level IDecided Aug 15, 2025I-200-25220-231486
- Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) at Battelle Memorial Institute$97,801RichlandWage Level IDecided Jul 29, 2025I-200-25203-192635
- Chemical Engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute$93,390RichlandWage Level IDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-156149
- Chemical Engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute$122,747RichlandWage Level IIDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-121826
- Associate In Research at Washington State University$78,187RichlandWage Level IIIDecided Apr 24, 2025I-200-25107-877341
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 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 6 certified offers. The most common variant is Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) at a median of $98,915.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Doctorate Research Associate (Chemical Engineer) | Battelle Memorial Institute | 3 | $98,915 |
| Chemical Engineer | Battelle Memorial Institute | 3 | $110,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Chemical Engineers in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 13 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $95,596.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Battelle Memorial Institute | 10 | $95,596 |
| Education | Washington State University | 2 | $73,633 |
| Energy and utilities | 1st American Nuclear Company | 1 | $175,000 |
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 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 Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$135,830
Compare Chemical Engineers pay across nearby states
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 $130,830.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Chemical Engineers?
- The Washington median is +16.2% versus the BLS national figure of $112,605.
- What is the salary range for Chemical Engineers in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $92,610 and the 90th-percentile at $182,040, 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.