Chemical Engineer salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Chemical Engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $115,890 a year ($55.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,620 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $117,410. There are 0.08 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $126,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 25th percentile | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Median | $115,890 | $55.72 |
| 75th percentile | $141,840 | $68.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,620 | $85.39 |
| Average (mean) | $126,210 | $60.68 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,657.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,828.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,457.31 |
| Weekly | $2,228.65 |
| Hourly | $55.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $115,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $129,070 | 50 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,440 | 110 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $111,210 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $86,820 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Engineers, All Other | $118,230 | $56.84 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $107,630 | $51.74 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $108,480 | $52.16 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,830 | $63.86 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| Environmental Engineer | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $113,130 | $54.39 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,620 | $47.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $115,890 a year, or $55.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $177,620 a year. The top 25% earn $141,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,760 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $100,780 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 110 chemical engineers are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.