Salary insight - how much do chemical engineers earn?
Salary insight
The IChemE Salary Survey, conducted in Q4 2025, was open to all members in employment. A total of 2,503 IChemE members took part in the survey.
The current median salary for IChemE members stands at £74,358 with the median annual bonuses ranging from £2,474 to £16,206 (depending on career stage). Median salaries witnessed an impressive 15% growth since the last survey in 2023, a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the profession.
Contracting commands the highest median salary, followed by oil and gas. However, salaries are increasing more in emerging sectors in areas that improve sustainability and security such as water and energy.
How much do Chartered Chemical Engineers earn?
Chartered status is the key factor impacting salaries, with Chartered engineers earning 86% more than their non-chartered peers (annual median salary of £93,000 vs £49,950). The salary differential between Chartered and non-Chartered members manifests across all age groups from 25 onwards, widening as careers progress. For members aged 30-34, Chartered chemical engineers earn £72,000 compared to £52,00 for non-Chartered peers. By ages 45-49, this gulf widens dramatically to £110,000 vs £69,421, demonstrating that Chartered status doesn’t just provide a one-time boost but adds value throughout a career.
In addition to the increased earnings, reported benefits of Chartered status are professional credibility and recognition; a sense of achievement or satisfaction; and positioning members to support or mentor colleagues and other chemical engineers.
How to become a Chartered Chemical Engineer
There are three aspects to qualifying as a Chartered Chemical Engineer. Firstly, you must have a high level of chemical engineering knowledge and understanding - this can come from qualifications and workplace learning. The second aspect is the initial professional development that you undertake early in your career, where you learn to apply your knowledge and understanding, develop your skills, and gain the experience required to help you become professionally qualified. Finally, as you build on your initial professional development and become an experienced senior engineer with significant responsibility, you will be able to complete the journey to becoming a Chartered Chemical Engineer.
Find out more about Chartered membership and how we assess these three areas.
Career progression
Salaries increase depending on career stage. Those early in their career reported earning a median salary of £40,000.
Salary Survey report and Calculator
The full salary survey provides a more in-depth analysis of salaries, the impact of Chartered status, future skills development, recruitment and retention, and sector trends. A salary calculator has also been developed, enabling you to view earnings based on age, industry sector and level of responsibility.
These member resources can be accessed from your MyIChemE account.