How much money does a Chemical Engineer make in Australia?
Average Yearly Salary
90,300 AUD
( 7,520 AUD monthly)
LOW
41,500
AUDAVERAGE
90,300
AUDHIGH
144,000
AUD
A person working as a Chemical Engineer in Australia typically earns around 90,300 AUD per year. Salaries range from 41,500 AUD (lowest) to 144,000 AUD (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Chemical Engineer salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Chemical Engineer Salary Distribution in Australia
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Chemical Engineer salaries in Australia range from 41,500 AUD per year (minimum salary) to 144,000 AUD per year (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 97,500 AUD per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as Chemical Engineer(s) are earning less than 97,500 AUD while the other half are earning more than 97,500 AUD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Chemical Engineer(s) are earning less than 62,500 AUD while 75% of them are earning more than 62,500 AUD. Also from the diagram, 75% of Chemical Engineer(s) are earning less than 130,000 AUD while 25% are earning more than 130,000 AUD.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
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Chemical Engineer Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Chemical Engineer salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Chemical Engineer with less than two years of experience makes approximately 47,100 AUD per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 62,900 AUD per year, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 93,000 AUD per year, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
“ On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark. ”
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.
Additionally, Chemical Engineer(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 113,000 AUD per year, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 124,000 AUD per year, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 134,000 AUD per year, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Chemical Engineer average salary change by experience in Australia
| 0 - 2 Years | 47,100 AUD | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 62,900 AUD |
| 5 - 10 Years | +48% | 93,000 AUD |
| 10 - 15 Years | +22% | 113,000 AUD |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 124,000 AUD |
| 20+ Years | +8% | 134,000 AUD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
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Chemical Engineer Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Chemical Engineer(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Chemical Engineer salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary of a Chemical Engineer is 53,800 AUD per year.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 84,400 AUD per year, 57% more than someone having a Bachelor's Degree degree.
A PhD gets its holder an average salary of 141,000 AUD per year, 68% more than someone with a Master's Degree.
Chemical Engineer average salary difference by education level in Australia
| Bachelor's Degree | 53,800 AUD | |
| Master's Degree | +57% | 84,400 AUD |
| PhD | +68% | 141,000 AUD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Australia costs anywhere from 37,800 Australian Dollar(s) to 114,000 Australian Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Chemical Engineer Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Chemical Engineer employees in Australia earn 7% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 93,100 AUD | |
| Female | -6% | 87,400 AUD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Salary Comparison By Gender in Australia for all Careers
Chemical Engineer Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Australia
How much are annual salary increments in Australia for Chemical Engineer(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineer(s) in Australia are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 11% every 16 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 16 months.
The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.
Australia / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
“The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Australia is 6%.”
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2021
| Banking | 4% | |
| Energy | 8% | |
| Information Technology | 3% | |
| Healthcare | 7% | |
| Travel | 2% | |
| Construction | 6% | |
| Education | 1% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Australia for the year 2021. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Chemical Engineer Bonus and Incentive Rates in Australia
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
A Chemical Engineer is considered to be a moderate bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
40% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 60% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 60% | |
| No Bonus | 40% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based Bonuses
The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance Bonuses
Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based Bonuses
Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year Bonuses
These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
“Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.”
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Chemical Engineer Average Hourly Wage in Australia
43 AUD per hour
The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Australia is 43 AUD. This means that the average Chemical Engineer in Australia earns approximately 43 AUD for every worked hour.
Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
Chemical Engineer VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Chemical Engineer is 26% less than that of Science and Technical Services. Also, Science and Technical Services salaries are 34% more than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| 3D Lab Technologist | 88,600 AUD |  -2% |
| Algorithm Developer | 116,000 AUD |  +29% |
| Analytical Chemist | 169,000 AUD | +87% |
| Anthropologist | 131,000 AUD | +45% |
| Archeologist | 110,000 AUD | +22% |
| Assistant Breeder | 62,300 AUD | -31% |
| Astronomer | 214,000 AUD | +140% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | 163,000 AUD | +81% |
| Behavior Analyst | 114,000 AUD | +26% |
| Behavior Intervention Specialist | 128,000 AUD | +42% |
| Biochemist | 200,000 AUD | +120% |
| Biofuels Processing Technician | 74,600 AUD | -17% |
| Biofuels Production Manager | 134,000 AUD | +48% |
| Biologist | 187,000 AUD | +110% |
| Biomedical Scientist | 206,000 AUD | +130% |
| Biophysicist | 192,000 AUD | +110% |
| Chemical Engineer | 90,300 AUD | +0% |
| Chemical Technologist | 91,000 AUD | +1% |
| Chemist | 178,000 AUD | +97% |
| Chief Technologist | 173,000 AUD | +92% |
| Climate Change Analyst | 131,000 AUD | +45% |
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | 192,000 AUD | +110% |
| Computer Scientist | 156,000 AUD | +73% |
| Conservation Scientist | 159,000 AUD | +76% |
| Data Scientist | 147,000 AUD | +63% |
| DNA Analyst | 195,000 AUD | +120% |
| Ecologist | 151,000 AUD | +67% |
| Economic Development Specialist | 154,000 AUD | +71% |
| Flavourist | 67,600 AUD | -25% |
| Food Scientist | 123,000 AUD | +36% |
| Forensic Scientist | 163,000 AUD | +81% |
| Formulation Technologist | 74,600 AUD | -17% |
| Fraud Investigator | 98,000 AUD | +9% |
| Genomics Scientist | 198,000 AUD | +120% |
| Geographer | 107,000 AUD | +19% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technician | 69,300 AUD | -23% |
| Geological Data Technician | 63,700 AUD | -29% |
| Geological Technician | 83,400 AUD | -8% |
| Geologist | 159,000 AUD | +76% |
| Geomatics Scientist | 159,000 AUD | +76% |
| Geophysical Data Technician | 61,900 AUD | -31% |
| Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist | 148,000 AUD | +64% |
| Hydrologist | 128,000 AUD | +42% |
| Industrial Ecologist | 134,000 AUD | +48% |
| Intelligence Analyst | 121,000 AUD | +34% |
| Knowledge Management Specialist | 93,600 AUD | +4% |
| Laboratory Manager | 130,000 AUD | +44% |
| Laboratory Researcher | 90,300 AUD | +0% |
| Laboratory Technician | 61,200 AUD | -32% |
| Life Sciences Analyst | 136,000 AUD | +51% |
| Life Scientist | 153,000 AUD | +70% |
| Marine Architect | 118,000 AUD | +31% |
| Marine Biologist | 140,000 AUD | +55% |
| Marine Superintendent | 82,500 AUD | -9% |
| Materials Analyst | 83,600 AUD | -7% |
| Materials Scientist | 148,000 AUD | +64% |
| Mathematician | 159,000 AUD | +76% |
| Medical Scientist | 213,000 AUD | +140% |
| Metallurgist | 134,000 AUD | +48% |
| Meteorologist | 136,000 AUD | +51% |
| Microbiologist | 202,000 AUD | +120% |
| Natural Language Processing Researcher | 118,000 AUD | +31% |
| Natural Resource Specialist | 108,000 AUD | +20% |
| Natural Sciences Manager | 187,000 AUD | +110% |
| Nuclear Engineer | 209,000 AUD | +130% |
| Physical Scientist | 164,000 AUD | +82% |
| Physicist | 194,000 AUD | +110% |
| Political Scientist | 147,000 AUD | +63% |
| Polygraph Examiner | 52,500 AUD | -42% |
| Polysomnographic Technologist | 91,000 AUD | +1% |
| Product Development Scientist | 161,000 AUD | +78% |
| Quantitative Research Analyst | 135,000 AUD | +50% |
| Quantitative Researcher | 137,000 AUD | +52% |
| Radiation Protection Specialist | 112,000 AUD | +24% |
| Refrigeration Technician | 44,300 AUD | -51% |
| Research Scientist | 134,000 AUD | +48% |
| Risk Safety Engineer | 89,600 AUD | -1% |
| Scientific Photographer | 88,000 AUD | -2% |
| Scientific Programmer | 126,000 AUD | +40% |
| Scientist | 146,000 AUD | +62% |
| Service Engineer | 91,700 AUD | +2% |
| Service Technician | 61,100 AUD | -32% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | 81,800 AUD | -9% |
| Social Scientist | 153,000 AUD | +70% |
| Sociologist | 150,000 AUD | +66% |
| Soil Scientist | 127,000 AUD | +41% |
| Statistical Analyst | 90,200 AUD | -0% |
| Statistical Assistant | 60,300 AUD | -33% |
| Statistician | 139,000 AUD | +54% |
| Survey Analyst | 87,000 AUD | -4% |
| Survey Researcher | 81,900 AUD | -9% |
| Surveying and Mapping Technician | 51,100 AUD | -43% |
| Team Leader | 124,000 AUD | +37% |
| Technical Manager | 135,000 AUD | +50% |
| Technical Officer | 60,300 AUD | -33% |
| Technical Service Director | 184,000 AUD | +100% |
| Technical Services Regulatory Affairs Specialist | 84,000 AUD | -7% |
| Technical Services Research and Development Manager | 202,000 AUD | +120% |
| Technical Services Research Coordinator | 103,000 AUD | +14% |
| Technician | 56,400 AUD | -38% |
| Water Ecologist | 163,000 AUD | +81% |
| Wildlife Biologist | 141,000 AUD | +56% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Adelaide | 97,900 AUD |
| Brisbane | 96,100 AUD |
| Canberra-Queanbeyan | 88,400 AUD |
| Gold Coast-Tweed | 94,000 AUD |
| Gosford | 84,200 AUD |
| Melbourne | 100,000 AUD |
| Newcastle | 88,400 AUD |
| Perth | 92,200 AUD |
| Sunshine Coast | 89,800 AUD |
| Sydney | 104,000 AUD |
| Wollongong | 81,200 AUD |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Australia earn 5% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 88,600 AUD | |
| Public Sector | +5% | 93,000 AUD |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
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