Engineering Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Chemical Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median chemical engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $104,135 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$104,135
vs State Avg
+$6,376
vs National
$-2,125
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median chemical engineer salary of $104,135, which is $6,376 above the North Carolina state average of $97,759. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Raleigh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Raleigh's cost of living is 98% 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 Raleigh spans from $66,640 at the 10th percentile to $168,560 at the 90th percentile — a $101,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,600, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $158,760. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $68,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $158,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,600
$-1,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,840
$-2,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$158,760
$-3,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $66,640
25th Percentile $82,320
Median (50th) $104,135
75th Percentile $135,240
90th Percentile $168,560

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$104,135
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$100,947
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$93,509
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$91,384
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Raleigh

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $104,135 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $66,640 (10th percentile) to $168,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,135, a chemical engineer in Raleigh earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Raleigh's median chemical engineer salary of $104,135 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $97,759. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $104,135 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Raleigh? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Raleigh 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.