Engineering Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Chemical Engineer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median chemical engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$91,384
vs State Avg
$-4,250
vs National
$-14,876
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median chemical engineer salary of $91,384, which is $4,250 below the Ohio state average of $95,634. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $91,384 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Cleveland spans from $58,480 at the 10th percentile to $147,920 at the 90th percentile — a $89,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,200, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,320. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $60,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,200
$-9,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,880
$-15,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $58,480
25th Percentile $72,240
Median (50th) $91,384
75th Percentile $118,680
90th Percentile $147,920

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$100,947
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$95,634
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$89,258
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$87,133
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $91,384 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $58,480 (10th percentile) to $147,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,384, a chemical engineer in Cleveland earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Cleveland's median chemical engineer salary of $91,384 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $95,634. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $91,384 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Cleveland? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Cleveland 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.