Chemical Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Chemical Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $132,820 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $93,727 take-home, or $7,811 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemical engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,611
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,235
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,926
- District of Columbia income tax$8,321
- Take-home pay$93,727
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chemical Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,250 | $44.83 | $69,474 | $5,789 |
| 25th percentile | $97,820 | $47.03 | $72,300 | $6,025 |
| Median (50th) | $132,820 | $63.86 | $93,727 | $7,811 |
| 75th percentile | $162,260 | $78.01 | $111,347 | $9,279 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,840 | $89.35 | $125,543 | $10,462 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $132,820 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemical engineer's $93,727 take-home pay has the buying power of $86,080 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× the national concentration of chemical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $138,120 | $105,671 | $107,140 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $127,770 | $94,674 | $92,316 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $132,820 | $93,727 | $86,080 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $126,830 | $91,512 | $81,298 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $109,460 | $80,582 | $74,430 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in Washington, DC?
The median chemical engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $132,820 a year, or about $63.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,820 and $162,260.
What is a chemical engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $132,820 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $93,727 a year ($7,811 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,321 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a chemical engineer?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $125,040. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $86,080 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemical engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median chemical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Nuclear Engineer — $180,360
- Aerospace Engineer — $166,420
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect — $159,700
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $159,480
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Materials Engineer — $140,640
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Mechanical Engineer — $126,990
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
- Environmental Engineer — $120,580
- Industrial Engineer — $117,600
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $110,390