Engineering Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Chemical Engineer Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median chemical engineer salary in Grand Island, NE is $89,258 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$89,258
vs State Avg
$-6,376
vs National
$-17,002
Cost of Living
84%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median chemical engineer salary of $89,258, which is $6,376 below the Nebraska state average of $95,634. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island'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 Grand Island an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Grand Island 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. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, 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 Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
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 Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$98,822
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$97,759
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$95,634
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$91,384
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Grand Island, Nebraska 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 Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,258, a chemical engineer in Grand Island earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Grand Island's median chemical engineer salary of $89,258 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $95,634. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $89,258 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Grand Island? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Grand Island 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.