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Average Chemical Engineers Salary in Colorado

Chemical Engineers in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $124,540, which is slightly below the national average of $129,210. This localized compensation reflects a strong demand within the state, driven by its robust industrial and technological sectors that rely heavily on chemical engineering expertise.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $124,540 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $169,990.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 850 Chemical Engineers and a Location Quotient of 2.24, Colorado demonstrates a significantly higher concentration of these professionals than the national average. This indicates a robust and specialized job market, suggesting sustained demand and potential for career growth within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$124,540

The average Chemical Engineers in Colorado earns-3.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$59.9

Weekly

$2,395

Monthly

$10,378

Chemical Engineers Salary Distribution in Colorado

The salary progression for Chemical Engineers in Colorado typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, but as professionals gain experience and develop specialized skills, they can advance to senior roles commanding salaries in the higher percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify a rewarding career progression path.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$79,490$38.2
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$93,405$44.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$131,740$63.3
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$155,675$74.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$169,990$81.7

Detailed Chemical Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$124,540

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$118,047

Adjusted for COL (105.5)

The average annual salary of $124,540 in Colorado is positioned against a Cost of Living Index of 105.5. This means that while the nominal salary is slightly below the national average, the cost of living is also only marginally higher than the national average (5.5% higher). Therefore, the purchasing power of a Chemical Engineer's salary in Colorado remains relatively competitive.

Job Market Context

850

Total Jobs

0.295

Per 1K Jobs

2.24

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Colorado has 2.2x the national concentration of Chemical Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 2.24 signifies that Chemical Engineers are more than twice as concentrated in Colorado compared to the national average. This high concentration suggests a specialized and potentially competitive market, where employers actively seek out this talent pool, and professionals may find a wealth of opportunities within specific industries prevalent in the state.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Chemical Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Chemical Engineers Salary$127,800↑ 3%54 mi
Boulder, CO Chemical Engineers Salary$120,870↓ 3%67 mi
Greeley, CO Chemical Engineers Salary$115,460↓ 7%98 mi

Comparing salaries near Colorado

Hiring Chemical Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chemical Engineers make in Colorado?

The median annual salary for a Chemical Engineers in Colorado is $124,540. This typically ranges from $79,490 for entry-level positions to $169,990 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Colorado is 3.6% lower than the national median of $129,210.

Is Colorado a lucrative place for Chemical Engineers?

Yes, Colorado offers a lucrative environment for Chemical Engineers.The state boasts a high concentration of Chemical Engineers (LQ of 2.24) and a competitive average salary of $124,540, which, when balanced against a moderate cost of living, provides strong earning potential.

Is Colorado a good place to live for Chemical Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Colorado is 105.5. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Colorado?

Some top paying nearby cities include Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($127,800) and Boulder, CO.

How does Colorado's Chemical Engineer salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Chemical Engineers in Colorado is $124,540, which is slightly lower than the national average of $129,210.

What is the concentration of Chemical Engineers in Colorado?

Colorado has a significantly higher concentration of Chemical Engineers than the national average, indicated by a Location Quotient of 2.24.

How does the cost of living in Colorado affect a Chemical Engineer's salary?

Colorado's Cost of Living Index is 105.5, meaning it's 5.5% higher than the national average. The $124,540 salary offers good purchasing power relative to this slightly elevated cost.

What does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers indicate for Chemical Engineers in Colorado?

With 0.295 jobs per 1,000 workers, this metric suggests a solid presence and demand for Chemical Engineers within Colorado's overall workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 850 employees in the Colorado area with a job density of 0.295 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Chemical Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Colorado