DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
17-2041 Chemical Engineers
Occupational 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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Southeast Minnesota | 20 | 6 | $52.74/hr | $3.80/hr | $37.19/hr | $43.95/hr | $53.67/hr | $61.28/hr | $71.27/hr |
| Minnesota | 190 | 47 | $53.60/hr | $1.82/hr | $29.86/hr | $41.32/hr | $53.40/hr | $64.24/hr | $81.39/hr |
| U S | 30,120 | 783 | $56.87/hr | $0.85/hr | $32.45/hr | $41.15/hr | $52.84/hr | $66.97/hr | $85.54/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2020 - 2030 | |
| Engineering Managers | 190 | $61.06/hr | 4.7% |
| Conservation Scientists | 50 | $30.92/hr | 1.3% |
| Foresters | 10 | $34.69/hr | 5.6% |
| Nuclear Engineers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Agricultural Engineers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Chemical Engineers
- Develops processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
- Performs tests throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables, including temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Performs laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new product and tests proposed process in small scale operation (pilot plant).
- Directs activities of workers who operate or who are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.
- Prepares estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Develops safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to on-going chemical reactions.
- Conducts research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- Designs and plans layout of equipment.
- Designs measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
- Determines most effective arrangement of operations, such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
