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Chemical Engineering Salary in Pennsylvania: Is It a Good Career?

Pennsylvania · 2026 BLS salary data

Chemical Engineering pay in Pennsylvania

The median wage is $116,970/yr — 6% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Pennsylvaniaranks #20 of 41 states by median pay.

The numbers in Pennsylvania

Real BLS state-level figures for Chemical Engineering.

Median salary
$116,970/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$91,520 – $168,060
National median
$125,040/yr
Employed in Pennsylvania
810

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

What that pay is really worth in Pennsylvania

Salary alone can mislead — Pennsylvania costs 2% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
97.6
Nominal median
$116,970
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $119,846
State income tax
Up to 3.07%

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; some localities also levy income tax.

FAQ

How much do chemical engineering professionals make in Pennsylvania?

The median annual wage is $116,970 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $91,520 and $168,060. That's 6% below the national median.

Is Pennsylvania a good state for chemical engineering?

By raw pay, Pennsylvania ranks #20 of 41 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Pennsylvania costs 2% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $119,846.

Are chemical engineering professionals in demand in Pennsylvania?

About 810 people work in this field in Pennsylvania (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 — Pennsylvania pay is 6% 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.