Chemical Engineer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Chemical Engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $135,110 a year ($64.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $234,060 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 7% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $126,760. There are 0.17 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $144,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| 25th percentile | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Median | $135,110 | $64.96 |
| 75th percentile | $176,880 | $85.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $234,060 | $112.53 |
| Average (mean) | $144,720 | $69.58 |
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 | $11,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,629.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,196.54 |
| Weekly | $2,598.27 |
| Hourly | $64.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $135,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,770 | 790 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $126,830 | 510 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Surveyor | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,030 | $36.07 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $135,110 a year, or $64.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $234,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $234,060 a year. The top 25% earn $176,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,070 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $104,330 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 40 chemical engineers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.