All About Chemical Engineers
Position Description Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Chemical Engineer Responsibilities
- Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
- Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
Chemical Engineer Needed Skills
These are the skills Chemical Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Related Job Titles
- Process Control Engineer
- Process Design Chemical Engineer
- Explosives Engineer
- Blending Coordinator
- Chemical Research Engineer
Job Demand for Chemical Engineers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 32,700 jobs in the United States for Chemical Engineer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,400 new jobs for Chemical Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Chemical Engineer are North Dakota, Utah, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, West Virginia, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Chemical Engineer
The average yearly salary of a Chemical Engineer ranges between $64,890 and $169,770.
Chemical Engineers who work in Texas, District of Columbia, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chemical Engineers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $112,780 |
| Alaska | $134,440 |
| Arizona | $99,580 |
| Arkansas | $87,880 |
| California | $103,590 |
| Colorado | $100,670 |
| Connecticut | $89,660 |
| Delaware | $120,280 |
| District of Columbia | $117,470 |
| Florida | $96,120 |
| Georgia | $91,530 |
| Idaho | $114,140 |
| Illinois | $94,830 |
| Indiana | $99,010 |
| Iowa | $107,490 |
| Kansas | $98,090 |
| Kentucky | $101,180 |
| Louisiana | $111,090 |
| Maryland | $113,670 |
| Massachusetts | $109,950 |
| Michigan | $102,780 |
| Minnesota | $98,910 |
| Mississippi | $109,940 |
| Missouri | $105,990 |
| Montana | $87,350 |
| Nebraska | $90,600 |
| New Hampshire | $79,110 |
| New Jersey | $122,210 |
| New Mexico | $110,020 |
| New York | $100,380 |
| North Carolina | $99,810 |
| Ohio | $96,080 |
| Oklahoma | $107,290 |
| Oregon | $98,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,390 |
| Rhode Island | $90,180 |
| South Carolina | $87,880 |
| Tennessee | $106,830 |
| Texas | $147,720 |
| Utah | $95,000 |
| Virginia | $111,440 |
| Washington | $103,620 |
| West Virginia | $97,430 |
| Wisconsin | $92,310 |
| Wyoming | $105,490 |
What Tools & Technology do Chemical Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Chemical Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- R
- Minitab
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- C
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
How to Become a Chemical Engineer
What education or degrees do I need to become a Chemical Engineer?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Chemical Engineer?
Chemical Engineers Sector
Chemical Engineers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Chemical Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Chemical Engineer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Mikulova via Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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