Chemical Engineer salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Chemical Engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $130,030 a year ($62.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,000 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 1% higher than the Washington statewide median of $128,290. There are 2.4 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 18.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| 25th percentile | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| Median | $130,030 | $62.51 |
| 75th percentile | $166,910 | $80.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,000 | $98.56 |
| Average (mean) | $137,890 | $66.29 |
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 | $10,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,417.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,001.15 |
| Weekly | $2,500.58 |
| Hourly | $62.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $130,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $131,690 | 70 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,200 | 230 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $121,370 | $58.35 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,780 | $59.99 |
| Electrical Engineer | $128,190 | $61.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $140,060 | $67.34 |
| Engineers, All Other | $142,920 | $68.71 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $156,460 | $75.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $149,740 | $71.99 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,890 | $46.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,590 | $34.90 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,560 | $39.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,170 | $29.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $130,030 a year, or $62.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $205,000 a year. The top 25% earn $166,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,370 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $100,820 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 320 chemical engineers are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.