Chemical Engineer salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Chemical Engineers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $138,120 a year ($66.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,260 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 4% higher than the Texas statewide median of $132,750. There are 0.46 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $155,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,890 | $48.03 |
| 25th percentile | $126,290 | $60.72 |
| Median | $138,120 | $66.40 |
| 75th percentile | $178,720 | $85.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,260 | $104.45 |
| Average (mean) | $155,750 | $74.88 |
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 | $11,510 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,755 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,312.31 |
| Weekly | $2,656.15 |
| Hourly | $66.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $138,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $130,520 | 130 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $129,850 | 140 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $129,790 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $126,690 | 100 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,950 | $48.53 |
| Industrial Engineer | $111,690 | $53.70 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $125,350 | $60.27 |
| Electrical Engineer | $131,070 | $63.02 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $169,870 | $81.67 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $133,970 | $64.41 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $130,280 | $62.64 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $137,740 | $66.22 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| Materials Engineer | $123,250 | $59.26 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $84,160 | $40.46 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $144,120 | $69.29 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $138,120 a year, or $66.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $217,260 a year. The top 25% earn $178,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,890 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $126,290 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 1,510 chemical engineers are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.