Chemical engineer

What does a chemical engineer do?

• Design processes and equipment that make products on a large scale.
• Scale up laboratory methods to pilot plants and then to full production.
• Monitor plant operations and adjust conditions to improve output, quality and energy use.
• Carry out safety studies to identify hazards and prevent accidents.
• Reduce waste, emissions and water use in production.
• Solve problems when equipment or processes do not work as planned.
• Prepare cost estimates, technical reports and operating procedures.

Where do they work?

Chemical engineers work in oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, water treatment, mining and minerals, and materials, as well as newer areas such as batteries and hydrogen. Some are based at production sites, sometimes in remote locations, and may work shifts or be on call. Others work in offices at engineering consultancies or in research centres. Safety rules are strict because plants handle hazardous substances at high pressures and temperatures.

What skills do you need?

• Chemistry and thermodynamics
• Mass and energy balances
• Process design and simulation software
• Process safety and risk assessment
• Mathematics and data analysis
• Problem solving under pressure
• Teamwork with plant operators and other engineers
• Commercial and cost awareness

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• perform scientific research
• test chemical samples
• adjust engineering designs
• perform chemical experiments
• approve engineering design
• work with chemicals
• forecast organisational risks
• apply health and safety standards
• assess environmental impact

Essential knowledge: analytical chemistry · engineering processes · engineering principles · chemistry

How do you become a chemical engineer?

Most chemical engineers have a bachelor's or master's degree in chemical engineering, which is sometimes called process engineering. The degree usually lasts four years, or three to five years in some European systems. Internships and industrial placements are very valuable, because employers want graduates who understand how real plants work. After graduating, many join graduate schemes at manufacturers or consultancies and work towards chartered or licensed status. Chemistry graduates can move into process roles through a master's in chemical engineering or on-the-job training, although some employers prefer an engineering degree.

1. University degree. An accredited chemical engineering degree covers thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, process control and plant design, and usually ends with a large design project. Accreditation by a professional body helps with later registration, and countries that have signed the Washington Accord recognise one another's accredited degrees as broadly comparable.
2. Chemistry or related degree. Chemistry, physics and biochemistry graduates can move into process development or plant roles, often starting in laboratory or technical support jobs. A master's degree in chemical or process engineering helps you gain the design skills that engineering employers expect. This route is common in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical companies.
3. Technician or operator route. Some people start as process technicians or plant operators after vocational training or an apprenticeship, then study part-time for a degree. This route is slower, but it gives you deep practical knowledge of how plants run. Whether it is available depends on the country and the employer.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Chemical engineering

  A chemical engineering degree teaches how to turn raw materials into useful products on a large scale, safely and efficiently, using chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology.

  4 linked careers

• Chemistry

  A chemistry degree teaches how substances are built, how they react and how to make and analyse new materials, through theory and a lot of laboratory work.

  6 linked careers

• Mathematics

  A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.

  6 linked careers

• Physics

  A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.

  6 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a chemical engineer?

Most chemical engineers work without a licence, because much of their work is inside manufacturing companies. However, titles and signing off certain designs are regulated in some countries. In the United States, a Professional Engineer (PE) licence is needed mainly for consulting and public work. In the UK, Chartered Engineer status through a professional body is voluntary but valued. In Canada, only licensed engineers may use the title "engineer". Strict process safety laws also apply to the plants where chemical engineers work.

How much does a chemical engineer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $125,040Median annual wage, May 2025
• $79,420–$182,880Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 21.1KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 17-2041, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes chemical engineer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Graduate process engineer
2. Process or chemical engineer
3. Senior process engineer
4. Lead engineer or plant manager
5. Technical director or operations director

Job outlook

Chemical engineers are needed wherever materials are processed, which spreads demand across many industries. Growth areas include clean energy, hydrogen, batteries, carbon capture, recycling, pharmaceuticals and water treatment. Jobs in oil, gas and petrochemicals can rise and fall with energy prices and climate policy. Automation and digital plant monitoring are changing operations roles, so engineers with data and process control skills are likely to be in demand.

Questions about becoming a chemical engineer

What is the difference between a chemist and a chemical engineer?

Chemists study substances and reactions, usually in laboratories and on a small scale. Chemical engineers take those reactions and design processes to run them safely and economically on an industrial scale. Chemists ask what happens and why. Chemical engineers ask how to make it work in a plant, at the right cost and with as little waste as possible.

Do chemical engineers only work in oil and gas?

No. Oil and gas has traditionally been a large employer, but chemical engineers also work in pharmaceuticals, food and drink, water treatment, cosmetics, mining, semiconductors, batteries, hydrogen and recycling. Many graduates also move into consulting, finance or environmental roles. Skills in process design and safety transfer well between industries.

Is chemical engineering a hard degree?

It is usually seen as one of the more demanding engineering degrees. It uses a lot of mathematics, physics and chemistry, and topics such as thermodynamics and transport processes can be difficult. The final-year design project involves a heavy workload. Students who enjoy both science and practical problem solving usually find it rewarding.

Can a chemical engineer work in the food or pharmaceutical industry?

Yes. Food and pharmaceutical companies need chemical engineers to design and run production lines, scale up new products, control quality and meet strict hygiene and safety rules. In these industries you often work alongside food scientists, chemists and microbiologists. Knowledge of good manufacturing practice (GMP) is especially useful for pharmaceutical roles.

Related careers

• Chemist

  Chemists study substances and how they react, and use that knowledge to create and test new materials, medicines, fuels, foods and consumer products.

  Degree required

• Environmental engineer

  Environmental engineers design systems that protect people and nature from pollution, such as drinking water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, waste and recycling facilities, and the clean-up of contaminated land.

  Degree required

• Food scientist

  Food scientists study the chemistry, biology and physics of food and use that knowledge to develop new products, improve recipes, and keep food safe, nutritious and long-lasting.

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• Mechanical engineer

  Mechanical engineers design, test and improve machines and systems that involve movement, force, heat or energy, from car engines and wind turbines to medical devices and air conditioning.

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 17-2041, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2145.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a chemical engineer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/chemical-engineer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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