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Chemical Engineers
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Other titles employers use
Chemical Engineer · Development Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Scientist · Process Control Engineer · Process Engineer · Project Engineer · Refinery Process Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.7 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 1.9 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 91%
- A master's degree 5%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,190
- Job openings each year
- 270
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 20.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 4,190 | 270 | 20.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,740 | 100 | 7.4% |
| California | 1,600 | 90 | — |
| New York | 1,220 | 0 | 1.7% |
| Ohio | 1,080 | 60 | 8.0% |
| Michigan | 900 | 50 | 8.4% |
| New Jersey | 880 | 50 | 8.6% |
| Louisiana | 830 | 60 | 23.9% |
| Colorado | 790 | 50 | 19.7% |
| Alabama | 710 | 40 | 9.2% |
| Tennessee | 660 | 40 | 13.8% |
| Washington | 660 | 60 | 22.2% |
| North Carolina | 620 | 40 | 17.0% |
| Maryland | 570 | 30 | 7.5% |
| Delaware | 460 | 30 | 7.0% |
| Wisconsin | 460 | 30 | 31.4% |
| Virginia | 440 | 30 | 7.3% |
| Oregon | 420 | 30 | 23.5% |
| Indiana | 410 | 20 | 10.8% |
| Massachusetts | 400 | 20 | 2.6% |
| South Carolina | 400 | 30 | 17.6% |
| Idaho | 390 | 30 | 14.7% |
| Oklahoma | 370 | 20 | 12.1% |
| Connecticut | 360 | 20 | 24.1% |
| Missouri | 330 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Kansas | 320 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Georgia | 300 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Florida | 260 | 20 | 18.2% |
| Illinois | 210 | 10 | 5.0% |
| Iowa | 210 | 10 | 23.5% |
| Kentucky | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| Mississippi | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Arizona | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Arkansas | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| New Mexico | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Minnesota | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| New Hampshire | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| North Dakota | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Montana | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | 60 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 50 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Rhode Island | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 234
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college GAGeorgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 170
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college OHOhio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 155
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 155
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college CAUniversity of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 149
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college COColorado School of Mines
- Degrees each year
- 149
- Admit rate
- 60%
- Annual cost after aid
- $22,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 147
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 139
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college