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Chemical Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Chemical Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

91% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$92,540
$7,712/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$136,380
$11,365/mo
Senior (P90)
$176,950
$14,746/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$92,540
National: $78,149
+18.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$136,380
National: $115,633
+17.9%
Senior (P90)
$176,950
National: $168,750
+4.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Chemical Engineers in Virginia spans from $92,540 at entry-level to $176,950 at senior level — a difference of $84,410 per year.

P10
$92K
P25
$100K
Median
$136K
P75
$156K
P90
$176K

Career Growth Premium: +91%

Senior Chemical Engineerss in Virginia earn $84,410 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$84,410
Monthly Difference
+$7,034
Hourly Difference
+$40.58
Growth Multiple
1.9x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Chemical Engineers salary increases with experience in Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $92,540 $7,712 $44.49
Early Career P25 $100,680 $8,390 $48.40
Mid-Career Median $136,380 $11,365 $65.57
Experienced P75 $156,080 $13,007 $75.04
Senior / Expert P90 $176,950 $14,746 $85.07
Key Insight

Chemical Engineers in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 91% growth from entry-level ($92,540) to senior ($176,950). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($136,380) and P90 ($176,950) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

Where does Virginia rank for Chemical Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$269,800
Entry: $60K
+347%
2
$210,460
Entry: $86K
+142%
3
$205,360
Entry: $76K
+168%
4
$189,870
Entry: $88K
+114%
5
$188,640
Entry: $80K
+135%
6
$185,360
Entry: $94K
+97%
7
$185,220
Entry: $68K
+170%
8
$185,190
Entry: $81K
+129%
9
$181,340
Entry: $90K
+100%
10
$177,790
Entry: $75K
+135%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Chemical Engineers?

Entry-level Chemical Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $92,540 per year, or $7,711 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $100,680. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Chemical Engineers make?

Senior Chemical Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $176,950 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $156,080. This represents a career premium of 91% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Chemical Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Chemical Engineerss is 91%. Entry-level professionals start at $92,540, while senior-level can earn up to $176,950 — a difference of $84,410 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Chemical Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Chemical Engineerss is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $176,950 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Chemical Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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