Chemical Engineer salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A chemical engineer earns a median of $125,040 a year ($60.12 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $129,980. About 21,070 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $125,040
- Gross pay
- $4,809.23
- Federal income tax
- −$720.91
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$298.17
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$69.73
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,720.42
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $125,040
- Federal
- $18,744
- FICA
- $9,566
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $96,731
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Engineer: $122,930
- Electrical Engineer: $120,630
- Electronics Engineer: $130,220
- Nuclear Engineer: $133,970
- Health and Safety Engineer: $115,160
- Aerospace Engineer: $134,960
- Materials Engineer: $112,860
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect: $112,230
BLS occupation: Chemical Engineers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 17-2041). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $60.12; the average is $62.49.
What is the salary range for a chemical engineer?
The bottom 10% earn under $79,420 and the top 10% earn over $182,880 a year.
How much is $125,040 after taxes?
About $96,731 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $87,722 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.