Chemical Engineers Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 1,550 Chemical Engineers professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
1,550
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
1.55
workers
Location Quotient
3.32
vs national avg
Average Salary
$120K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 3.32 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Chemical Engineers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
1,550
National: 20,990
7.4% of national
Jobs per 1,000
1.55
National: 0.47
+229.8%
Average Salary
$120K
National: $114K
+4.7%

Top States by Chemical Engineers Employment

#1
3,280
3,280
employed
#2
1,550
1,550
employed
#3
1,220
1,220
employed
#4
1,200
1,200
employed
#5
1,100
1,100
employed
#6
Virginia
1,060
1,060
employed
#7
840
840
employed
#8
760
760
employed
#9
690
690
employed
#10
660
660
employed

What Does a Chemical Engineers Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Chemical Engineers in California is $120,230. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Find Your Next Opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Chemical Engineers jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 1,550 Chemical Engineers professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Chemical Engineers in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Chemical Engineers jobs (LQ: 3.32). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Chemical Engineers in California?

The average (mean) salary for Chemical Engineers in California is $120230/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Chemical Engineers professionals?

The top state for Chemical Engineers employment is Texas with 3,280 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Chemical Engineers (SOC 172041) in California.

Explore More in California

Related Analysis
Chemical Engineers Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in California Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook