Chemical Engineer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Chemical Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $104,230 a year ($50.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,110 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $103,230. There are 0.11 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| 25th percentile | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| Median | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| 75th percentile | $125,400 | $60.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,110 | $72.65 |
| Average (mean) | $109,400 | $52.60 |
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 | $8,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,342.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,008.85 |
| Weekly | $2,004.42 |
| Hourly | $50.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $114,800 | 100 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $96,190 | 50 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $78,660 | 50 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $66,230 | 50 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,500 | $52.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $78,720 | $37.84 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $104,230 a year, or $50.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $151,110 a year. The top 25% earn $125,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,460 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $90,710 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 220 chemical engineers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.