Life As a Chemical Engineer
Career 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
- Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
Skills Needed to be a Chemical Engineer
Below is a list of the skills most Chemical Engineers say are important on the job.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Related Job Titles
- Gas Combustion Engineer
- Process Control Engineer
- Absorption and Adsorption Engineer
- Blending Coordinator
- Explosives Engineer
Job Outlook for Chemical Engineers
There were about 32,700 jobs for Chemical Engineers in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,500 new jobs for Chemical Engineers by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,400 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Chemical Engineers are Texas, Louisiana, and California.
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.
Chemical Engineer Salary
The typical yearly salary for Chemical Engineers is somewhere between $64,890 and $169,770. The median salary for this occupation is $104,910.
How much do Chemical Engineers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Texas |
$147,720 |
|
Alaska |
$134,440 |
|
New Jersey |
$122,210 |
|
Delaware |
$120,280 |
|
District of Columbia |
$117,470 |
|
Idaho |
$114,140 |
|
Maryland |
$113,670 |
|
Alabama |
$112,780 |
|
Virginia |
$111,440 |
|
Louisiana |
$111,090 |
|
New Mexico |
$110,020 |
|
Massachusetts |
$109,950 |
|
Mississippi |
$109,940 |
|
Iowa |
$107,490 |
|
Oklahoma |
$107,290 |
|
Tennessee |
$106,830 |
|
Missouri |
$105,990 |
|
Wyoming |
$105,490 |
|
Washington |
$103,620 |
|
California |
$103,590 |
|
Michigan |
$102,780 |
|
Kentucky |
$101,180 |
|
Colorado |
$100,670 |
|
New York |
$100,380 |
|
North Carolina |
$99,810 |
|
Arizona |
$99,580 |
|
Indiana |
$99,010 |
|
Minnesota |
$98,910 |
|
Oregon |
$98,810 |
|
Kansas |
$98,090 |
|
West Virginia |
$97,430 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$97,390 |
|
Florida |
$96,120 |
|
Ohio |
$96,080 |
|
Utah |
$95,000 |
|
Illinois |
$94,830 |
|
Wisconsin |
$92,310 |
|
Georgia |
$91,530 |
|
Nebraska |
$90,600 |
|
Rhode Island |
$90,180 |
|
Connecticut |
$89,660 |
|
South Carolina |
$87,880 |
|
Arkansas |
$87,880 |
|
Montana |
$87,350 |
|
New Hampshire |
$79,110 |
What Tools & Technology do Chemical Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Chemical Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- C++
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- CAD/CAM
- Microsoft Excel
- PTC Creo Parametric
- SAP
- Structured query language SQL
Who Employs Chemical Engineers?
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Chemical Engineer may also be interested in:
- Product Safety Engineers
Career changers with experience as a Chemical Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Environmental Engineers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.