worthsay

Chemical Engineering Salary in New Hampshire: Is It a Good Career?

New Hampshire · 2026 BLS salary data

Chemical Engineering pay in New Hampshire

The median wage is $73,250/yr — 41% below the national median. Among U.S. states, New Hampshireis one of the lowest-paying states (#41 of 41).

The numbers in New Hampshire

Real BLS state-level figures for Chemical Engineering.

Median salary
$73,250/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$60,600 – $115,140
National median
$125,040/yr
Employed in New Hampshire
40

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in New Hampshire

Salary alone can mislead — New Hampshire costs 4% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
104.2
Nominal median
$73,250
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $70,298
State income tax
None

New Hampshire levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do chemical engineering professionals make in New Hampshire?

The median annual wage is $73,250 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $60,600 and $115,140. That's 41% below the national median.

Is New Hampshire a good state for chemical engineering?

By raw pay, New Hampshire is one of the lowest-paying states (#41 of 41). Adjusted for cost of living (New Hampshire costs 4% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $70,298. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are chemical engineering professionals in demand in New Hampshire?

About 40 people work in this field in New Hampshire (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +2.6% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Chemical Engineering nationally — New Hampshire pay is 41% below the national median. See the full Chemical Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes on pay, mixed on growth — chemical engineering is among the highest-paying bachelor's degrees, but projected growth is only average and jobs cluster around industrial regions. A strong choice if you handle the demanding coursework and are flexible on location.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Among the highest-paying bachelor's degrees
  • Versatile across energy, pharma, materials, food
  • Strong analytical, transferable skills
  • Clear paths into process and management roles
  • Respected, rigorous credential

Cons

  • Only average projected growth
  • Very demanding coursework
  • Jobs concentrated near industrial plants
  • Some sites are remote or hazardous
  • Cyclical with energy and chemicals demand

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Strong chemistry/math students
  • People wanting top bachelor's-level pay
  • Those flexible on industrial-region jobs

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing location flexibility
  • Those wanting a less demanding degree

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Chemical Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.