Chemical engineers
SOC Code: 17-2041
Chemical engineers carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $121,860 and +2.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 21,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Chemical engineers (SOC 17-2041) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 21,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $121,860, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Chemical engineers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- 2. Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- 3. Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- 4. Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- 5. Design and plan layout of equipment.
- 6. Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- 7. Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- 8. Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- 9. Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
- 10. Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
Key Skills Required
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation
- Mathematics
- Operations Analysis
Knowledge Areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Chemical engineers?
Chemical engineers has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Chemical engineers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Chemical engineers is projected to grow by 2.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 21,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Chemical engineers?
Key skills for Chemical engineers include Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Chemical engineers earn?
The median annual wage for Chemical engineers is $121,860, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Chemical engineers?
The typical entry-level education for Chemical engineers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Chemical engineers?
Chemical engineers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).