Engineering Sioux City, IA Pop. 85,797

Chemical Engineer Salary in Sioux City, Iowa

The median chemical engineer salary in Sioux City, IA is $89,258 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 5.6% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$89,258
vs State Avg
$-5,313
vs National
$-17,002
Cost of Living
84%

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

Sioux City offers a median chemical engineer salary of $89,258, which is $5,313 below the Iowa state average of $94,571. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Sioux City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Sioux City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $89,258 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Sioux City an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Sioux City spans from $57,120 at the 10th percentile to $144,480 at the 90th percentile — a $87,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,800, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,080. Sioux City is a smaller market (pop. 85,797), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Sioux City by Experience

In Sioux City, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $58,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,800
$-11,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,720
$-17,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,080
$-25,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Sioux City, IA

Percentile Sioux City
10th Percentile $57,120
25th Percentile $70,560
Median (50th) $89,258
75th Percentile $115,920
90th Percentile $144,480

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Sioux City

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Sioux City

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Sioux City, IA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Sioux City

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Sioux City, IA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Sioux City, Iowa is $89,258 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $57,120 (10th percentile) to $144,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Sioux City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,258, a chemical engineer in Sioux City earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Sioux City compare to the Iowa state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Sioux City's median chemical engineer salary of $89,258 is 5.6% below the Iowa state average of $94,571. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA? ▼
Sioux City has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $89,258 in Sioux 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 Sioux City? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Sioux 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.