Engineering Chesapeake, VA Pop. 249,422

Chemical Engineer Salary in Chesapeake, Virginia

The median chemical engineer salary in Chesapeake, VA is $104,135 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 5.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$104,135
vs State Avg
$-6,375
vs National
$-2,125
Cost of Living
98%

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

Chesapeake offers a median chemical engineer salary of $104,135, which is $6,375 below the Virginia state average of $110,510. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Chesapeake pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Chesapeake'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 Chesapeake 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 249,422, Chesapeake is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Chesapeake by Experience

In Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA

Percentile Chesapeake
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 Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$140,263
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$108,385
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$106,260
Pop. 226,610
Norfolk, VA
$102,010
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Chesapeake

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Chesapeake

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Chesapeake, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Chesapeake

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Chesapeake, Virginia 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 Chesapeake? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,135, a chemical engineer in Chesapeake earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chesapeake compare to the Virginia state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Chesapeake's median chemical engineer salary of $104,135 is 5.8% below the Virginia state average of $110,510. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
Chesapeake has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $104,135 in Chesapeake has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Chesapeake? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Chesapeake 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.