by our College Data Analytics TeamChemical Engineers act as the liaison between scientific invention and manufactured goods. They turn ideas into products that can be successfully and affordably mass produced by using the principles of chemistry, biology, and physics.
A major in Chemical Engineering will learn how to design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test these methods as well as supervising production. These products can vary from things like cookies, perfume fragrance or office supplies. You may also work more closely with manufacturers to solve issues like rust or pollution. This is an interesting field because it allows you to produce things that people want by learning how to use the commercial applications of chemical reactions. This major will open the door for many opportunities and you can pick what interests you most.
Courses that you may come across in this major include: organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, physics, reactor kinetics, reactor design, materials science, mechanics, geometry, environmental engineering, engineering statistics, computer science, calculus, heat and mass transfer, and engineering graphics.
One concentrations available within this major is bimolecular engineering.
A degree in Chemical Engineering explores Chemical Engineering. Continue reading for the important information every chemical engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemical engineering programs.
Across the country, chemical engineering draws strong interest, with 10,939 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 196 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Chemical Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemical engineering graduates commonly enter.
To be successful in this major, you need to be determined and a hard worker. Engineering majors are heavy in math and science, so students should be comfortable in those fields. Chemical Engineering is not an easy major, but is very rewarding for students who are curious, creative and enjoy using logic to solve complex problems.
Both in college work and in your career you will often find yourself working on a team. Learn to perfect your teamwork and communication skills while still in college. When you get a job, you will also be working with a variety people in production in order to achieve goals.
Skills built by a chemical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a chemical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemical engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 45 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,068 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,679 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,139 |
People currently working in careers related to chemical engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 33.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.5% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in chemical engineering can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to chemical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Chemical Engineers | 215,233 | 0.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of chemical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $74,187 |
| 4 years | $87,755 |
| 5 years | $99,039 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chemical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemical engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Chemical Engineers | $130,903 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $121,651 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
With 196 different chemical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemical engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering chemical engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | 10,624 |
| Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | 297 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other | 18 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
