Chemical engineer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Chemical engineers develop ways to turn raw materials into everyday products.

  • Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.  
  • Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.  
  • Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.  
  • Troubleshoot
Read more about Chemical engineer

Chemical engineers typically work around 39 to 41 hours per week.

As a Chemical engineer you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

This occupation tends to be:

  • Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and
Read more about Chemical engineer
* from ONETonline
Average salary
45,523 GBP *
per year
29,000 GBP
60,000 GBP
Starting
5+ Experience
* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Average salary for Chemical engineer

  • 46,112 GBP
  • 40,667 GBP
Average salary for part-time Chemical engineer
Average salary for full-time Chemical engineer

Showing:
  • 24,842 GBP
  • 19,347 GBP
  • 45,523 GBP
  • 40,667 GBP
  • 46,112 GBP
Salary over time for Chemical engineer

Salary for this role has increased over time
  • 42,396 GBP
  • 42,382 GBP
  • 42,534 GBP
  • 43,712 GBP
  • 45,725 GBP
  • 44,407 GBP
  • 45,523 GBP
  • 44,522 GBP
  • 44,065 GBP
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Future outlook for Chemical engineers

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Very good outlook
168 000+ jobs available
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Balanced outlook
0% yearly wage growth (on average)
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Very good outlook
29% chance of automation in the future

Chemical engineer - Your future job?


Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Chemical engineer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

  • 82% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
  • 9% of people in this role have a Master's degree
  • 9% of people in this role have a Doctoral degree

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of physics
  • analytical thinking skills
  • science skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Chemical engineer

Chemical Engineering

Things to highlight for your Chemical engineer interview

Analytical Thinking Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Achievement/Effort Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

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