What they do

A chemical engineer applies principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to design, develop, and optimize processes and products involving chemical reactions or transformation. In short, they ensure that raw materials are made into quality products and that the facilities and equipment are efficient in the process.

Where they work

Chemical engineering is a vast field, but common work environments include in an office, lab, or manufacturing space such as the following:

  • Paper and pulp mills

  • Pharmaceutical companies

  • Food and beverage manufacturers

  • Chemical, energy, and oil industries

Education

A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field, such as paper science (Learn more about paper science).

If you enjoy…

  • Learning how things work and what ways to make the process better

  • Understanding and researching chemical reactions

  • Working in a team environment

  • Ever-evolving work

…then this may be a job for you!

Median Salary

$91,500

Employment Growth

17% from 2020-2030

Job Titles

  • Chemical Engineer

  • Development Engineer

  • Engineering Scientist

  • Process Engineer

  • Project Engineer

  • Safety Engineer

  • New Product Development

  • Research and Development Engineer

  • Quality Assurance Manager