Chemical Engineer salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Chemical Engineers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $106,200 a year ($51.06 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $88,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,660 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $125,040. The average (mean) salary is $116,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| 25th percentile | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Median | $106,200 | $51.06 |
| 75th percentile | $131,230 | $63.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,660 | $68.59 |
| Average (mean) | $116,630 | $56.07 |
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 | $8,850 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,425 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,084.62 |
| Weekly | $2,042.31 |
| Hourly | $51.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,210 | 320 |
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 |
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $115,120 | $55.35 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,700 | $48.89 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,110 | $48.13 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,940 | $62.95 |
| Environmental Engineer | $117,360 | $56.42 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,060 | $64.45 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $123,670 | $59.46 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $129,530 | $62.28 |
| Materials Engineer | $109,100 | $52.45 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $119,970 | $57.68 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,580 | $33.93 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $106,200 a year, or $51.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $142,660 a year. The top 25% earn $131,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,960 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $98,990 or less.