Engineering Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Chemical Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median chemical engineer salary in Iowa City, IA is $100,947 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$100,947
vs State Avg
+$6,376
vs National
$-5,313
Cost of Living
95%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median chemical engineer salary of $100,947, which is $6,376 above the Iowa state average of $94,571. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 Iowa City spans from $64,600 at the 10th percentile to $163,400 at the 90th percentile — a $98,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,500, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,900. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $66,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,500
$-3,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,600
$-5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$153,900
$-8,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $64,600
25th Percentile $79,800
Median (50th) $100,947
75th Percentile $131,100
90th Percentile $163,400

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$97,759
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$93,509
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$91,384
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$89,258
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Iowa City

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $100,947 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $64,600 (10th percentile) to $163,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,947, a chemical engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median chemical engineer salary of $100,947 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $94,571. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $100,947 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Iowa City? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Iowa City 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.