10 Best Companies for Chemical Engineers

Looking for the one or more of the 10 best companies for chemical engineers? Chemical engineers are in high demand around the world amid the burgeoning demand for petrochemicals, plastics, adhesives, paints, synthetic products, construction, cosmetics, and artificial products. Increased spending and spikes in manufacturing have created a pressing need for skillful chemical engineers.

According to a report issued by the American Society for Engineering Education, enrollment in chemical engineering degree programs in the U.S increased by 14.4% between 2014 and 2015.  Similarly, in the UK, the number of students starting chemical engineering courses has nearly doubled over the last five years, according to a report published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Chemical engineers study a diverse range of subjects which makes them highly useful for production companies, manufacturers, and R&D companies alike. Chemical engineers are needed at industrial plants, refineries, labs, oil fields, mining sites, and within the pharmaceutical industry. Companies are hungry for ways to minimize their manufacturing costs and chemical engineering is one crucial way to achieve that. Chemical engineers are aptly educated to leverage the existing resources of a company and maximize its output.

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Polymers and petrochemical production is one of the hottest areas to work in when it comes to chemical engineering, with petrochemicals and polymers accounting for about 47% of European chemical sales. However, the chemical industry in the EU and U.S is slowing, with experts believing that China will soon take over the lucrative chemicals market. However, this competitive environment bodes well for chemical engineers, who have plenty of options to choose from.

Some companies require chemical engineers to have chartered status for senior positions. Chartered status helps chemical engineers get necessary international accreditations and move up the corporate ladder more easily. According to a report by The Guardian, a chartered chemical engineer earns about $12,000 more than an unchartered chemical engineer.

To help you further zero in on where the need for chemical engineers is the greatest, be sure to check out the list of 11 Cities With The Highest Demand for Chemical Engineers.

In this article we’ll reveal the 10 best companies for chemical engineers. We compiled our list based on the minimum annual salary provided by companies to their chemical engineers. The primary sources for our data are company review platform Glassdoor and salary research website PayScale. Check out the list beginning on the next page.

10. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $67,000

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL), founded in 1919, is one of the biggest oil and gas exploration and services companies in the world, with operations in about 70 countries. The company employs about 50,000 people, among which are chemical engineers, which are paid between $67,000 and $73,000 per year. Engineers get a lot of opportunity to learn and grow at Halliburton, which uses state-of-the-art machinery and technology. However, it can be tough to maintain a healthy work/life balance at the company.

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9. LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) 

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $73,600

At number 9 on our list of best companies for chemical engineers we have LLyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB) that is a Netherlands-based company. According to PayScale, a chemical engineer is paid between $73,600 and $156,000 per year, based on seniority, roles and experience. The company has a healthy work environment and culture. However, being constantly on-call and having to endure rotating shifts are some of the things that engineers for the company have to deal with.

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8. BASF SE (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BASFY)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $77,515

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7. Dow Chemical Co (NYSE:DOW)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $87,822

Dow Chemical Co (NYSE:DOW), that’s up next on our list of best companies for chemical engineers is a Michigan-based multinational chemical company which manufactures and sells products used in raw materials, appliances, automobiles, agriculture, building materials, adhesives, and paints. The company has a market cap of about $77 billion. The average salary for a senior chemical engineer at Dow Chemical is $109,415, according to Glassdoor, while a Senior Chemist takes home about $107,994 per year. However, a fresh chemical engineer is paid about $87,822 per year, including stock benefits, commissions and bonuses.

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6. Ineos

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $89,481

Ineos is a London-based private chemical company and one of the top-ten chemical manufacturing companies in the world in terms of revenue. A process engineer earns about $89,481 per year at Ineos. Several employees, however, complain about the 401k and health insurance plans offered at Ineos. Some reviews at Glassdoor also suggest that Ineos tries to do more with less people, which directly affects the work/life balance of its employees. Long-term care insurance is not offered and you cannot take a vacation in the first year of your employment at Ineos.

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5. Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $90,351

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) is a Fortune 500 company that produces advanced materials, chemicals and fibers. It was founded in 1920, and now has over 40 manufacturing sites around the world. Eastman offers about $90,351 annually to chemical engineers, according to Glassdoor. This salary does not include commissions, bonuses and benefits. Eastman is known for its flexible work hours, friendly environment, and culture.

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4. E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co (NYSE:DD)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $93,168

E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co (NYSE:DD), commonly referred to as DuPont, is one of the 10 best companies for chemical engineers. The Delaware-based company pays an average of about $93,168 to chemical engineers according to reports submitted by 33 people to Glassdoor. The company offersa  reasonable 401k Plan, 5-6 weeks of vacation, health insurance, and generous stock options.

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3. BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $106,016

We are continuing our list of best companies for chemical engineers with BP plc (ADR) (NYSE:BP), also known as British Petroleum, that is a London-based oil and gas company and the sixth-largest energy company in terms of market capitalization. The base salary for a chemical engineer at British Petroleum is about $106,016. But if commissions and other benefits are included, the salary can reach as much as $119,600 per year. British Petroleum offers reasonable 401k and health insurance plans. The company also offers paid sick leaves and holidays. However, some employees complain of a work culture where flunkies get more chances to move up the corporate ladder.

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2. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $108,333

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), the number two on our list of best companies for chemical engineers is not only one of the biggest oil and gas companies globally, it also has a gigantic petrochemicals business. The Texas-based company produces packaging materials, plastic bottles, automobile bumpers, synthetic rubber, solvents, and several other consumer products. According to data compiled by TheLadders, Exxon Mobil pays its process engineers around $108,333 annually, depending upon role, bonuses, commissions, and stock benefits.

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1. Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A)

Average Annual Salary for Chemical Engineers: $131,354

In first place on our list of the 10 best companies for chemical engineers is Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE:RDS.A), commonly known as Shell. It is the sixth-largest company in the world in terms of revenue, as of the end of 2016, which allows it to pay its chemical engineers $131,354 per year, including benefits, stock options and bonuses. Shell has a great working environment, as engineers will have ample time for leisure activities.

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Have you worked for any of these companies? Share your thoughts on the work environment and salary/benefits with our readers in the comments.

Disclosure: None