Are Chemical Engineers in demand?
Chemical engineers are behind some of the greatest modern innovations, and as such, chemical engineering is a growing field with high demand. From developing renewable energy technologies to advancing semiconductor manufacturing and creating sustainable materials, their work touches nearly every aspect of modern life.
Chemical engineering career demand and opportunities
Chemical engineers are in demand across industries because they combine deep technical knowledge with problem-solving skills that directly impact society. And chemical engineering isn't just about traditional chemical plants anymore: As global priorities shift toward sustainability, technology, and healthcare, new and exciting career paths are opening up.
Green chemistry & circular economies
Chemical engineers are leading the push toward eco-friendly processes and materials. From designing biodegradable plastics and recycling systems to transforming industrial waste into valuable new products through chemical recycling and upcycling, these roles are increasingly vital.
The job outlook is great for Oregon State chemical engineering undergraduate student Jose Naranjo Mendez, who explores the process of “upcycling plastics” using catalysts to convert polymers into monomers.
Carbon capture, utilization & hydrogen technologies
As industries aim to slash emissions, chemical engineers are needed to help create scalable solutions, like carbon capture systems, converting CO₂ into fuels or plastics, and developing green hydrogen production methods through electrolysis.
A recent cross-disciplinary team of Oregon State researchers called the Brine Miners used a National Science Foundation grant to demonstrate the use of renewable energy to extract a zero-emission fuel, along with strategic minerals, from concentrated brines such as seawater — generating oxygen gas and clean, desalinated water as byproducts. This is a great example of work that a chemical engineer could be a part of.
Digital innovation & computational Modeling
Chemical engineering, like many fields, is becoming smarter. AI, machine learning, digital twins, and real-time analytics are transforming how processes are modeled, optimized, and managed—creating hybrid roles that blend chemical engineering and data science.
That’s what brought Oregon State University professors Cory Simon and Xiaoli Fern together, merging artificial intelligence and chemistry with the goal of speeding up and reducing the cost of discovering materials and molecules.
Biotechnology & biomanufacturing
From scaling up vaccines and biologics to designing microbes that synthesize fuels or drugs, chemical engineers are increasingly bridging the gap between engineering and biology—especially in pharmaceuticals and sustainable bioproducts.
For example, Oregon State University chemical engineering graduate Brynn Olden is helping to develop a cancer treatment with the company Bristol Myers Squibb.
Advanced materials & nanotechnology
Innovations like nanomaterials, smart polymers, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are opening frontiers—from next-gen semiconductors, super-efficient batteries and water purification to responsive coatings and self-healing materials.
Oregon State University offers a week-long semiconductor program for incoming students called the OSU CHIPS Lab, which includes hands-on lab experience in the on-campus cleanroom, a tour of HP’s facilities in Corvallis, and professional development workshops with speakers from semiconductor companies and academia.
All of these emerging opportunities require you to graduate from a great chemical engineering program. If you’re interested in becoming a chemical engineer, make sure you know what to look for when choosing a program, including opportunities for hands-on learning, research and internships.
Chemical engineering salary ranges
With a starting salary average of around $76,000, chemical engineers can hit the ground running with a high-impact and lucrative career right out of a degree program. The median salary is about $112,000 for mid-career chemical engineers, and highly experienced chemical engineers can expect to earn about $176,000 in their roles.
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 10% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the national average for all jobs (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What you could do with a chemical engineering degree?
So, great news! The odds are good you’ll find a job as a chemical engineer, since they’re in high demand. But what kinds of jobs, exactly? Here are a few examples of projects you might work on:
- Developing technologies for generating and storing renewable energy.
- Designing advanced materials for smart surfaces and wearable electronics.
- Creating methods for carbon capture and sequestration to combat the climate crisis.
- Innovating materials and processes for the semiconductor and high-tech industries.
- Making safer, more sustainable consumer products.
Want to dive deeper into what you could do with a chemical engineering degree? Check out the resource below.
What do Chemical Engineers Do?