Engineering Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Chemical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median chemical engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $98,822 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$98,822
vs State Avg
$-3,188
vs National
$-7,438
Cost of Living
93%

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

Pittsburgh offers a median chemical engineer salary of $98,822, which is $3,188 below the Pennsylvania state average of $102,010. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% 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 Pittsburgh spans from $63,240 at the 10th percentile to $159,960 at the 90th percentile — a $96,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,100, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $150,660. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $65,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $150,660 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$100,440
$-7,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$150,660
$-11,340 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $63,240
25th Percentile $78,120
Median (50th) $98,822
75th Percentile $128,340
90th Percentile $159,960

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$108,385
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$99,884
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$93,509
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$89,258
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $98,822 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $63,240 (10th percentile) to $159,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $98,822, a chemical engineer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median chemical engineer salary of $98,822 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $102,010. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $98,822 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Pittsburgh 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.