📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chemical Engineer Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$123,310
per year
Median
$116,105
per year
Hourly
$59.28
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$78,059
25th Percentile — Junior$102,404
50th Percentile — Median$116,105
75th Percentile — Senior$157,181
90th Percentile — Top Earners$178,203
💡 Top-earning Chemical Engineers in Virginia make up to $178,203 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$109.0k
2021
$111.7k
2022
$114.5k
2023
$117.4k
2024
$120.3k
2025
$123.3k
2026
📈 Chemical Engineer salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Chemical Engineer Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $129,476 +5.0% Medium
Richmond $125,776 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Chemical Engineer Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Chemical Engineers. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $123,310 per year, Virginia's Chemical Engineer salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $78,059–$102,404, while experienced Chemical Engineers can command $157,181–$178,203.

Looking ahead, the Chemical Engineer profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Chemical Engineer salary in Virginia is $123,310 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $112,100.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chemical Engineers the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Chemical Engineer employment.
  • At $123,310/year, Virginia Chemical Engineer salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $112,100/year.