Chemical Engineer Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chemical Engineers in Rhode Island, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$111,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$53.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $125,040
State Rank
#24 of 41
50 employed here

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Rhode Island?

A Chemical Engineer working in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $111,590 per year, or about $53.65 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $125,040 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $70,670 while the top 10% make $152,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,120 and $152,750 a year.

Chemical Engineer salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$70,670$33.98
25th percentile (early career)$80,120$38.52
50th percentile (median)$111,590$53.65
75th percentile (experienced)$152,750$73.44
90th percentile (top earners)$152,750$73.44

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 24th out of 41 states and territories for Chemical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$158,190
2Virginia$136,380
3Alabama$135,030
4Louisiana$134,800
5Delaware$133,670

Working as a Chemical Engineer in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($111,590) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Chemical Engineer salary in Rhode Island is $111,590 per year, or about $53.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $70,670 at the entry level to $152,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Chemical Engineers about 11% less than the national median of $125,040. Rhode Island ranks 24th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Chemical Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $111,590 a year. About 50 Chemical Engineers are employed in Rhode Island. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.