Engineering Parkersburg, WV Pop. 29,675

Chemical Engineer Salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia

The median chemical engineer salary in Parkersburg, WV is $85,008 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$85,008
vs State Avg
$-4,250
vs National
$-21,252
Cost of Living
80%

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

Parkersburg offers a median chemical engineer salary of $85,008, which is $4,250 below the West Virginia state average of $89,258. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Parkersburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Parkersburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $85,008 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Parkersburg an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Parkersburg spans from $54,400 at the 10th percentile to $137,600 at the 90th percentile — a $83,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $129,600. Parkersburg is a smaller market (pop. 29,675), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Parkersburg by Experience

In Parkersburg, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $56,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $129,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,000
$-14,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,400
$-21,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$129,600
$-32,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Parkersburg, WV

Percentile Parkersburg
10th Percentile $54,400
25th Percentile $67,200
Median (50th) $85,008
75th Percentile $110,400
90th Percentile $137,600

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$95,634
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$93,509
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$87,133
Pop. 46,842
Wheeling, WV
$82,883
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Parkersburg

Education

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Parkersburg

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Parkersburg, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Parkersburg

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia is $85,008 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $54,400 (10th percentile) to $137,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Parkersburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,008, a chemical engineer in Parkersburg earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Parkersburg compare to the West Virginia state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Parkersburg's median chemical engineer salary of $85,008 is 4.8% below the West Virginia state average of $89,258. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
Parkersburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $85,008 in Parkersburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Parkersburg? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Parkersburg 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.