AIChE Salary Survey Shows Slight Decline in Median Compensation | AIChE

AIChE Salary Survey Shows Slight Decline in Median Compensation

July 13, 2017

NEW YORK CITY — The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) — in the June 2017 issue of its flagship magazine, Chemical Engineering Progress (CEP) — published the results of the organization’s salary survey for 2017. Among its key findings:

  • The median annual salary of survey respondents working full time is $124,000 per year, 2.4% lower than 2015, although the survey was conducted by a new firm and the methodology used was slightly different
  • A gender gap in salaries (with males earning more than females in most age categories) persists
  • The top three highest-paying industries among survey respondents are petroleum production and refining; petrochemicals and petroleum products; and engineering, design, construction, and consulting
  • The highest-salaried job function categories among survey respondents are corporate or general management; education with consulting; and engineering, procurement, and construction. Sales, marketing, and plant management are also among the best-compensated job functions.

The biennial survey presents a snapshot of the state of employment, workforce compensation, and career prospects in the chemical process industries (CPI), particularly in the United States. The survey’s data were drawn from the responses of more than 2,100 practicing chemical engineers across specializations and demographics.

Organizations and non-members of AIChE may purchase a copy of the June 2017 issue of CEP containing the salary survey results by contacting AIChE Customer Service at 800-242-4363 (outside the U.S., 203-702-7660) or customerservice@aiche.org. Media inquiries may be directed to Gordon Ellis, AIChE Communications, at gorde@aiche.org.         

About AIChE

AIChE is a professional society of more than 53,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org.