Engineering Wichita, KS Pop. 397,532

Chemical Engineer Salary in Wichita, Kansas

The median chemical engineer salary in Wichita, KS is $90,321 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.3% below the Kansas state average.

City Median
$90,321
vs State Avg
$-2,125
vs National
$-15,939
Cost of Living
85%

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

Wichita offers a median chemical engineer salary of $90,321, which is $2,125 below the Kansas state average of $92,446. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Wichita pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Wichita's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $90,321 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Wichita an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Wichita spans from $57,800 at the 10th percentile to $146,200 at the 90th percentile — a $88,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,500, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $137,700. With a population of 397,532, Wichita is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Wichita by Experience

In Wichita, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $59,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $137,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,500
$-10,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$91,800
$-16,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$137,700
$-24,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wichita, KS

Percentile Wichita
10th Percentile $57,800
25th Percentile $71,400
Median (50th) $90,321
75th Percentile $117,300
90th Percentile $146,200

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Kansas Cities

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Wichita

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Wichita

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Wichita, KS:

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Wichita

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Wichita, KS? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Wichita, Kansas is $90,321 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $57,800 (10th percentile) to $146,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Wichita? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $90,321, a chemical engineer in Wichita earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wichita compare to the Kansas state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Wichita's median chemical engineer salary of $90,321 is 2.3% below the Kansas state average of $92,446. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wichita, KS? ▼
Wichita has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $90,321 in Wichita has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Wichita? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Wichita 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.