Chemical Engineer salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Chemical Engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $110,960 a year ($53.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,200 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 5% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $117,170. There are 0.06 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $113,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| 25th percentile | $89,990 | $43.27 |
| Median | $110,960 | $53.35 |
| 75th percentile | $122,060 | $58.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $189,200 | $90.96 |
| Average (mean) | $113,130 | $54.39 |
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 | $9,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,267.69 |
| Weekly | $2,133.85 |
| Hourly | $53.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $110,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $120,990 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $118,010 | n/a |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $110,760 | 370 |
| Columbus, IN | $109,190 | 40 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $107,610 | 300 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Civil Engineer | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,960 | $47.10 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,610 | $61.35 |
| Engineers, All Other | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $126,180 | $60.67 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,030 | $29.34 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $110,960 a year, or $53.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $189,200 a year. The top 25% earn $122,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,130 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $89,990 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 40 chemical engineers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.