Chemical Engineer Careers Information
Chemical engineers apply chemical principles in order to analyze, improve, or create products. They serve to turn scientific breakthroughs into solutions to industrial problems.
There are a wide range of industries that utilize chemical engineers, from healthcare and biotechnology to manufacturing and energy. The scope of projects to which chemical engineers can apply themselves is truly mind-boggling.
Within their area of expertise, some chemical engineers may specialize in a particular chemical process or material, although today most need to be able to work with a wide variety of materials, equipment and processes.
Regardless of their specialization, all chemical engineers must be familiar with basic chemical properties of all materials with which they work, and understand how their processes affect the environment of their fellow workers and the consumers of their products.
Chemical Engineer Careers Path
A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is almost always required for entry-level chemical engineering jobs. Chemical engineers must be aware of a wide range of materials, how they interact with each other, and how they can change and combine during the manufacturing process, necessitating a specialized degree.
As with most engineering positions, graduate training in chemical engineering is essential for higher-level engineering positions and research positions.
Some engineers in the U.S. are required to gain a professional engineer (PE) license, usually those who work in design, process development, and consulting. A four-year degree from an accredited institution, four years’ experience, and the successful completion of a state examination are required for the PE license. Engineers working in operations usually are not required to have a PE license.
Chemical Engineer Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Patience, detail-oriented, ability to retain information on a vast array of materials, excellent quantitative abilities, analytical, inquisitive, creative, strong problem-solving skills, ability to communicate and work with a wide range of people
Chemical Engineer Interview
Interested in a first-hand account of a chemical engineer career? Read More from a Chemical Engineer…
Chemical Engineer Careers: Salary Expectations
Most chemical engineers can expect to earn between $67,000 and $105,000. The median annual salary for chemical engineers is just under $85,000.
Chemical Engineer Careers: Job Outlook
Chemical companies will continue to employ engineers for the discovery and synthesis of new substances, and as demand in biology and healthcare related fields grow, so do the opportunities for chemical engineers.
In the coming years, chemical engineers will continue to branch out into other fields, such as medicine, reflecting changes in the field that promise plenty of opportunity for the future.
Chemical engineers will find the most opportunities within the service-producing industries, particularly those related to biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Chemical Engineer Associations and Resources
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Slightly Off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov
