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

Washington · 2026 BLS salary data

Chemical Engineering pay in Washington

The median wage is $128,290/yr — 3% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Washingtonranks #9 of 41 states by median pay.

The numbers in Washington

Real BLS state-level figures for Chemical Engineering.

Median salary
$128,290/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$104,300 – $164,630
National median
$125,040/yr
Employed in Washington
650

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

What that pay is really worth in Washington

Salary alone can mislead — Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
107
Nominal median
$128,290
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $119,897
State income tax
None

Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #20 of 41, down from #9 on raw salary.

Washington 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 Washington?

The median annual wage is $128,290 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $104,300 and $164,630. That's 3% above the national median.

Is Washington a good state for chemical engineering?

By raw pay, Washington ranks #9 of 41 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $119,897. Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #20 of 41, down from #9 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are chemical engineering professionals in demand in Washington?

About 650 people work in this field in Washington (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 — Washington pay is 3% above 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.