What Can You Do with a Chemical Engineering Degree?

Chemical engineering (CE) is a very important career in terms of human safety, environmental protection, and health. These professionals can work in any industry that involves manufacturing and developing products made with industrial chemicals. This article will detail some of the best jobs for chemical engineering majors depending on their level of education.

Chemical engineering majors can work in a variety of fields including biotechnology, chemical engineering, and petroleum engineering. Most chemical engineering roles require a four-year degree or a graduate degree, but you can get entry-level job opportunities in an engineering company with an associate degree as well. 

What Is a Chemical Engineering Major?

A chemical engineering major will teach you how to use dangerous chemicals to manufacture products and how to improve the manufacturing process in factories. You might study theories regarding pollution and attempt to develop environmentally friendly solutions or learn biological processes depending on your engineering specialty. 

How to Become a Chemical Engineer: Chemical Engineering Education Options 

This is a very technical career path that requires strong knowledge of the principles of chemistry, science, physics, and math, as these are all relevant aspects of chemical engineering. Below, we will explore some of the most common education options to become a chemical engineer. 

Chemical Engineering Associate Degree 

An Associate Degree in Chemical Engineering will help you understand how to design and produce chemical products. You will also learn how to use engineering software and advanced equipment in the production cycle. This degree will help you obtain an entry-level job in the industry.

Best Associate Degree Programs in Chemical Engineering

• Associate in Science Degree in CE Science – Hostos Community College
• Associate of Science degree in CE – University of Cambridge Newnham College
• Associate of Science degree in CE – Santa Ana College
• Associate degree in Chemical Engineering – Midlands Technical College 
• Associate of Science degree with a Field of Study in CE – Dallas College 

Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degrees in Chemical Engineering provide you with the opportunity to study concepts that involve molecular change. The chemical engineering curriculum will also include how to produce, control, and design chemical products to set you up for a wide array of engineering occupations. You will also develop analytical and problem-solving skills that will be useful your entire career.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Chemical Engineering

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in CE – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Bachelor’s Degree in CE – University of Nevada, Reno
• Bachelor of Science in CE – University of California, Berkeley
• Bachelor’s degree in CE – California Institute of Technology 
• Bachelor of Science in CE – Stanford University

Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree 

A master’s degree in chemical engineering trains you on the advanced principles of engineering needed in this subject. You can specialize in biotechnological engineering, polymers, and biopolymers. Attending graduate school and getting a master’s degree can also help you make more money and advance further in your career. 

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Chemical Engineering

• Master of Science in CE – Columbia University
• Master of Science in CE –  North Carolina State University
• Master of Science in CE – Florida Tech
• Master of Science in CE – University of North Dakota
• Master of Science in CE – University of Washington

Chemical Engineering Career Overview: Is a Chemical Engineering Career Worth It?

Chemical Engineering Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of chemical engineers is expected to have an average growth rate of nine percent between now and 2030. This means the demand for chemical engineers should stay consistent. Keep in mind that job growth statistics can change depending on the type of engineering job you are looking at.

Chemical Engineering Salaries

Chemical engineers have high salaries compared to other occupations due to the complexity of this job. The same report from BLS estimates that the average salary for a chemical engineer is $108,540. As with job outlooks, salaries will also vary with each job. Earning higher degrees will often lead to higher-paid job opportunities for chemical engineering students. 

Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Majors: What Can You Do with a Chemical Engineering Degree?

In the following tables, you will find some of the chemical engineering jobs you can get at each level of education. While many chemical engineering career options will require at least a bachelor’s degree, there are a few entry-level positions for applicants with a two-year associate degree.  

Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Associate Degree Majors

Junior Chemical Engineer

• Average Salary: $91,765
• Job Outlook: nine percent*

It is a junior engineers’ responsibility to plan and execute safety plans for manufacturing employees. They might ensure there are no safety hazards in laboratory settings to ensure the safety of workers. Junior chemical engineers design and research new techniques for chemical production, and estimate costs for management and manufacturing when they take on difficult projects.

Chemical Engineering Technician

• Average Salary: $57,555
• Job Outlook: nine percent*

A CE technician works under the supervision of a more experienced chemical engineer who helps engineers in training to manufacture and design chemical products. These professionals then put these designs into practice with additiona training. They work in areas like medicine, healthcare, fuels, textile, and the pharmaceutical industry.

*Job outlook information is from the BLS listing for chemical engineers.

Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Petroleum Engineer

• Average Salary: $137,330
• Job Outlook: eight percent

A petroleum engineer designs and executes strategies to extract oil and gas from the earth. Then, they create products out of these materials such as kerosene, propane, gasoline, and plastic. They help find new ways to meet the nation’s energy needs. 

Mining Engineer

• Average Salary: $93,800
• Job Outlook: four percent

A mining engineer’s role is to extract a particular mineral such as gold or coal. They research the best areas to build a mine. They also perform tests to examine deposits in order to find the largest amount of valuable minerals. 

Biomedical Engineers

• Average Salary: $92,620
• Job Outlook: six percent

Biomedical engineering is a profession that is dedicated to developing solutions to improve human health. This can also involve computational processes such as developing software for solving a medical issue. These experts have a strong handle on all biological engineering principles. 

Environmental Engineer

• Average Salary: $92,120
• Job Outlook: four percent

An environmental engineer is responsible for improving public health by creating efficient systems to reduce water and waste pollution. They also execute strategies for recycling and waste disposal systems for a city or a whole country. They often work in governmental and large-scale manufacturing sectors.

Production Engineer

• Average Salary: $76,523
• Job Outlook: eight percent*

Production engineers, or process engineers, plan and oversee the production cycle in manufacturing plant operations. They implement production methods and design equipment to transform raw chemical or biochemical materials into their final products.

*Job outlook was taken from the BLS listing for Petroleum Engineer.

Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Master’s Degree Majors

Senior Chemical Engineer

• Average Salary: $111,088
• Job Outlook: nine percent*

A senior chemical engineer’s role is to plan and execute strategies to develop a product by their company standards. These project engineers create prototypes, select the plant equipment and materials needed to manufacture the product, and develop safety procedures based on regulatory compliance, environmental regulations, and quality standards.

Chemical Engineering with Data Analysis Skills

• Average Salary: $75,164
• Job Outlook: nine percent*

Chemical engineers with data analysis skills can work for industrial plants and earn a high annual wage. Their responsibility would be to automate processes in the industrial cycle using machine learning techniques. They can also analyze patterns and trends in the production process to improve the productivity levels in the chemical plant.

Nanotechnology Engineer

• Average Salary: $94,839
• Job Outlook: nine percent*

A nanotechnology engineer researches and develops proper procedures for improving human health and can make new discoveries in science or technology. Chemical engineers are important in nanotechnology because they understand the nature of nanomaterials. 

*Job outlook information is from the BLS listing for chemical engineers.

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Chemical Engineering

1. Get practical experience. Employers of chemical engineers often prefer candidates with experience. It’s important to get some relevant work experience that will help you gain a deeper understanding of chemical processes. You might gain an entry-level engineer position under the supervision of a more experienced colleague or an internship. 
2. Get a license. Licensure for chemical engineers isn’t a mandatory requirement, however, being a licensed engineer will help you stand out from your competition to potential employers and can help you land chemical engineering job interviews. One license to consider is the Professional Engineering Licensure, which is validated in most states. 
3. Elevate your hard and soft skills. You can elevate your skills by learning new things like computer science, nuclear engineering, data science, or even project management in case you want a management position where you can use your interpersonal skills. You can also work on your soft skills by developing a flexible mindset, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills. 

Chemical engineering graduates can have a rewarding career solving real-world problems once they have developed the necessary common skills. They might work in environmental sustainability and help humanity find new cures and alternative energy ideas to avoid climate damage.

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Chemical engineers can also work for medical research institutes to find innovative solutions for the healthcare industry. The average wage for chemical engineers is high, so this career requires formal training and practical experience in the field.