Colorado Median
$125,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $125,040
State Rank
#14 of 41
720 employed here
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Colorado?
A Chemical Engineer working in Colorado earns a median salary of $125,800 per year, or about $60.48 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $125,040 for this occupation.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $80,130 while the top 10% make $188,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $97,490 and $150,280 a year.
Chemical Engineer salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,130 | $38.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $97,490 | $46.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $125,800 | $60.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $150,280 | $72.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,640 | $90.69 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 14th out of 41 states and territories for Chemical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Engineer salary in other states
New Mexico $158,190Virginia $136,380Alabama $135,030Louisiana $134,800Delaware $133,670Texas $132,750West Virginia $129,210New York $129,060Washington $128,290Oklahoma $127,790Montana $127,490Maryland $127,190New Jersey $126,760Illinois $121,560Massachusetts $118,000Iowa $117,590North Carolina $117,410Kentucky $117,170Pennsylvania $116,970Oregon $116,950North Dakota $115,400Indiana $113,160Rhode Island $111,590Ohio $111,200Florida $109,000Minnesota $107,670Idaho $106,740Mississippi $106,740Alaska $106,080Arkansas $105,270Georgia $103,880Michigan $103,230Missouri $102,320Connecticut $102,270Kansas $102,020South Carolina $101,570Nebraska $98,310Wisconsin $97,660Utah $85,520New Hampshire $73,250
Working as a Chemical Engineer in Colorado
Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Chemical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($125,800) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Colorado?
The median Chemical Engineer salary in Colorado is $125,800 per year, or about $60.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,130 at the entry level to $188,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Chemical Engineers about 1% more than the national median of $125,040. Colorado ranks 14th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Chemical Engineers?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $125,800 a year. About 720 Chemical Engineers are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemical Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.