Engineering Portland, ME Pop. 68,408

Chemical Engineer Salary in Portland, Maine

The median chemical engineer salary in Portland, ME is $114,761 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median and 10.2% above the Maine state average.

City Median
$114,761
vs State Avg
+$10,626
vs National
+$8,501
Cost of Living
108%

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

Portland offers a median chemical engineer salary of $114,761, which is $10,626 above the Maine state average of $104,135. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Portland pays above average for this role.

Portland's cost of living is 108% 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 Portland spans from $73,440 at the 10th percentile to $185,760 at the 90th percentile — a $112,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,600, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $174,960. Portland is a smaller market (pop. 68,408), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $75,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $174,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,600
+$5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$116,640
+$8,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$174,960
+$12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, ME

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $73,440
25th Percentile $90,720
Median (50th) $114,761
75th Percentile $149,040
90th Percentile $185,760

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Maine Cities

South Portland, ME
$111,573
Pop. 25,665
Bangor, ME
$97,759
Pop. 32,029
Lewiston, ME
$95,634
Pop. 37,121
Auburn, ME
$94,571
Pop. 23,926

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Portland

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Portland

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Portland, ME:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Portland

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Portland, ME? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Portland, Maine is $114,761 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $73,440 (10th percentile) to $185,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,761, a chemical engineer in Portland earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Maine state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Portland's median chemical engineer salary of $114,761 is 10.2% above the Maine state average of $104,135. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, ME? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $114,761 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Portland? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Portland 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.