Engineering Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Chemical Engineer Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median chemical engineer salary in Birmingham, AL is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.4% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$95,634
vs State Avg
+$3,188
vs National
$-10,626
Cost of Living
90%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median chemical engineer salary of $95,634, which is $3,188 above the Alabama state average of $92,446. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Birmingham spans from $61,200 at the 10th percentile to $154,800 at the 90th percentile — a $93,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $61,200
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $95,634
75th Percentile $124,200
90th Percentile $154,800

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$97,759
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$93,509
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$91,384
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$90,321
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Birmingham

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Birmingham, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $61,200 (10th percentile) to $154,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,634, a chemical engineer in Birmingham earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Birmingham's median chemical engineer salary of $95,634 is 3.4% above the Alabama state average of $92,446. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $95,634 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Birmingham? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Birmingham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.