Occupation Summary

Chemical Engineers

O*NET 17-2041.00

Description:

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Annual Wages:
$148,686.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 20.40%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
  2. Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
  3. Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
  4. Direct activities of workers who operate or are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.
  5. Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.
  6. Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
  7. Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
  8. Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
  9. Design and plan layout of equipment.
  10. Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
  11. Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
  12. 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.
  13. Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Chemical Engineers employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 14.3 0.33
Scientific research and development services 12.5 0.74
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 5.9 0.80
Electronic instrument manufacturing 2.5 0.00


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $71.48
2024 National average hourly wage $61.75
2022 National employment 20,800
2022 Texas employment 3,476
Texas projected employment by 2032 4,185
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 271




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
100.00%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
95.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
95.40%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
87.20%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
85.40%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
85.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
78.20%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
76.40%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
64.60%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
62.80%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
85.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
82.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
77.60%
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
77.60%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
77.60%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
77.60%
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
75.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
75.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
72.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
82.40%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
80.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
80.00%
Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
80.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
77.60%
Number Facility
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
75.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
75.00%


  • Processing Information
    -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or Information
    -- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Recognition
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.



Tools

Benchtop centrifuges: Benchtop centrifuges;

Bi distillation units: Distillation systems;

Catalytic combustion analyzers: Catalytic reactors;

Chemical absorption gas analyzers: Gas absorbers;

Chromatographic scanners: Chromatographic scanning equipment;

Dewatering equipment: Sludge dryers;

Distillation pipings or columns or fittings: Distillation columns;

Freezedryers or lyophilzers: Lyophilizers;

Goggles: Safety goggles;

Heat exchangers: Heat exchangers;

Laboratory evaporators: Laboratory evaporaters;

Laboratory filtration hardware or accessories: Filtration systems;

Laboratory mixers: Powder mixing equipment; Agitators; Benchtop mixers;

Mass spectrometers: Mass spectrometers;

Microcontrollers: Programmable logic controllers PLC;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Processing tanks: Mixing tanks;

Robotic or automated liquid handling systems: Vial handling systems;

Scanning probe microscopes: Atomic force microscopes;

Spectrometers: Surface analysis spectroscopes;

Ultrafiltration equipment: Plate filter presses;

Vacuum pumps: Vacuum pumps;

Wet scrubbers: Wet scrubbers;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Absorption process simulation software; Applied Flow Technology AFT Arrow; Applied Flow Technology AFT Fathom; AspenTech aspenONE; Cerebro CerebroMix; ChemicaLogic SteamTab; Chempute Software SuperPro Designer; Chempute Software VisiMix; Chemstations CHEMCAD; Control Station ENGINEER; EPCON International CHEMPRO Engineering Suite; EPCON International SiNET; EPCON International SYSTEM 7 Process Explorer; G&P Engineering Software EngVert; Chempute Software Engineer's Aide SINET; G&P Engineering Software PipeDrop; Laboratory information management system LIMS; Madison Technical Software Chempak Plus; Madison Technical Software Enviropak; Madison Technical Software Steampak; Minitab; Prode PD-Plus; SoftLab PHEdesign; Statistical software; The MathWorks MATLAB; Thermal Analysis Systems The Energy Analyst;

Computer aided design CAD software: PTC Creo Parametric; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Computer aided design CAD software; CD-adapco STAR-CAD; Autodesk AutoCAD;

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Computer aided manufacturing CAM software;

Data base user interface and query software: Chempute Software E-Notebook; Microsoft Access; G&P Engineering Software PhysProps; Relational database software; Structured query language SQL;

Desktop publishing software: Desktop publishing software;

Development environment software: C; National Instruments LabVIEW; Microsoft Visual Basic;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Exchange;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software;

Financial analysis software: Chempute Software EstPro;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Chempute Software ChemDraw;

Industrial control software: GE Fanuc Proficy Machine Edition; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software;

Object or component oriented development software: R; Microsoft Visual C# .NET; C++;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint; Presentation software;

Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio;

Project management software: Microsoft Project;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; Spreadsheet software;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Chemical Engineers include:
  • 11-9041.01 Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
  • 19-2031.00 Chemists
  • 17-2112.00 Industrial Engineers
  • 17-2112.03 Manufacturing Engineers
  • 17-2131.00 Materials Engineers
  • 19-2032.00 Materials Scientists
  • 17-2141.00 Mechanical Engineers
  • 17-2199.05 Mechatronics Engineers
  • 17-2161.00 Nuclear Engineers
  • 17-2171.00 Petroleum Engineers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information on becoming a chemical engineer, visit: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
  • For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Technology Student Association (TSA)
  • For information about accredited engineering programs, visit: ABET
  • For more information about licensure as a professional engineer, visit: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
  • National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
  • Chemical Engineers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.