Engineering Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Chemical Engineer Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median chemical engineer salary in Wilmington, DE is $111,573 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$111,573
vs State Avg
+$4,250
vs National
+$5,313
Cost of Living
105%

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

Wilmington offers a median chemical engineer salary of $111,573, which is $4,250 above the Delaware state average of $107,323. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Wilmington pays above average for this role.

Wilmington's cost of living is 105% 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 Wilmington spans from $71,400 at the 10th percentile to $180,600 at the 90th percentile — a $109,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,500, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,100. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $73,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,500
+$3,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,400
+$5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,100
+$8,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $71,400
25th Percentile $88,200
Median (50th) $111,573
75th Percentile $144,900
90th Percentile $180,600

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$108,385
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$105,197
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$104,135
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$102,010
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Wilmington

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Wilmington and the surrounding Delaware 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 Wilmington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Wilmington, DE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $111,573 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $71,400 (10th percentile) to $180,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,573, a chemical engineer in Wilmington earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Wilmington's median chemical engineer salary of $111,573 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $107,323. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, DE? ▼
Wilmington has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $111,573 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Wilmington? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Wilmington 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.