Engineering Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Chemical Engineer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median chemical engineer salary in Lincoln, NE is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$95,634
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-10,626
Cost of Living
90%

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

Lincoln offers a median chemical engineer salary of $95,634, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $95,634. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Lincoln pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Lincoln's cost of living is 90% 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 Lincoln spans from $61,200 at the 10th percentile to $154,800 at the 90th percentile — a $93,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $61,200
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $95,634
75th Percentile $124,200
90th Percentile $154,800

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$98,822
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$97,759
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$91,384
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$89,258
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Lincoln

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Lincoln, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $61,200 (10th percentile) to $154,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,634, a chemical engineer in Lincoln earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median chemical engineer salary of $95,634 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $95,634. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $95,634 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Lincoln? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Lincoln 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.