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

Wisconsin · 2026 BLS salary data

Chemical Engineering pay in Wisconsin

The median wage is $97,660/yr — 22% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Wisconsinis one of the lowest-paying states (#39 of 41).

The numbers in Wisconsin

Real BLS state-level figures for Chemical Engineering.

Median salary
$97,660/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$74,700 – $119,500
National median
$125,040/yr
Employed in Wisconsin
110

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

What that pay is really worth in Wisconsin

Salary alone can mislead — Wisconsin costs 6% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
94.1
Nominal median
$97,660
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $103,783
State income tax
Up to 7.65%

Because Wisconsin costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #37 of 41 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

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 Wisconsin?

The median annual wage is $97,660 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $74,700 and $119,500. That's 22% below the national median.

Is Wisconsin a good state for chemical engineering?

By raw pay, Wisconsin is one of the lowest-paying states (#39 of 41). Adjusted for cost of living (Wisconsin costs 6% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $103,783. Because Wisconsin costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #37 of 41 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

Are chemical engineering professionals in demand in Wisconsin?

About 110 people work in this field in Wisconsin (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 — Wisconsin pay is 22% 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.