Chemical Engineering Salary: State and Industry Differences in Australia

Chemical Engineering Salary: What the Data Shows

When people ask about a chemical engineering salary in Australia, they are usually after a number. The truth is that official sources like the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a precise median weekly earnings figure for chemical engineers. The sample is too small to be reliable. But we can still build a clear picture using state and industry benchmarks from the Salary Index.

Chemical engineers design and supervise chemical processes in manufacturing, mining, and professional services. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 3,100 people work in this occupation. Most work full-time (87%), averaging 43 hours per week. The median age is 38, and women make up 23% of the workforce.

Where the National Line Sits

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2 ($1,004.90 per week). A chemical engineering salary is almost certainly well above that minimum, but how far above depends on where you work and in which industry.

State Differences in Chemical Engineering Pay

Jobs and Skills Australia gives the state distribution of chemical engineers:

• New South Wales: 22.4%
• Victoria: 24.5%
• Queensland: 19.6%
• South Australia: 5.2%
• Western Australia: 26.5%
• Tasmania, Northern Territory, ACT: small shares

Western Australia employs the largest share, and it also has the second-highest state index at 106.9 (annualised $115,825). That is partly driven by the mining industry, which dominates WA’s economy. The ACT has the highest state index (109.9, $119,090), but few chemical engineers work there. Victoria and NSW have indexes close to the national line (98.0 and 101.2), while Tasmania’s index is lowest at 88.6 ($96,008).

If you are a chemical engineer in WA, your chemical engineering salary is likely higher than in Tasmania, simply because the local labour market and industry mix push pay up. The same role in Melbourne or Sydney might pay closer to the national average, though cost of living also differs.

Industry Benchmarks for Chemical Engineers

Chemical engineers work mainly in three industries: Manufacturing, Professional/Scientific/Tech Services, and Mining. Each has a different Salary Index:

• Mining: index 154.7 (annualised ~$167,600)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: index 114.7 (~$124,300)
• Manufacturing: not separately indexed, but likely between 90 and 100 based on broader industry data

A chemical engineer in a mining operation – say at a lithium processing plant in WA – could earn well above the national line. The mining index suggests earnings 55% higher than the average full-time worker. In contrast, a chemical engineer working for a consulting firm in Melbourne might earn closer to the professional services index, still above average but not as high as mining.

These are benchmarks, not guarantees. Actual pay depends on experience, qualifications, and the specific employer. But they give a useful starting point.

Using the Index to Compare

The how the index works page explains that the Salary Index converts annual gross earnings into a simple number relative to the national line. For example, if a chemical engineer earns $130,000 a year, that is index 120 (130,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100). That tells you they earn 20% above the average full-time adult. You can do the same for any offer or current salary.

What About Awards and Super?

Most chemical engineers are professionals covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts, not modern awards. But the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for awards like the Mining Industry Award, which might apply to some technician-level roles. For a qualified chemical engineer, the award is usually a floor, not the actual rate.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of gross salary. So a $130,000 salary includes $15,600 in super, making total remuneration $145,600. The maximum super contribution base is $270,830, so most chemical engineers will have the full 12% on all earnings.

Tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. A chemical engineer earning $130,000 would pay roughly $30,567 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $99,433 take-home (excluding HELP or other deductions).

Putting It Together

A chemical engineering salary in Australia is not a single number. It varies by state – WA and ACT lead – and by industry, with mining far ahead. The national line gives you a reference point. If you are considering a role, compare the offered salary to the index for your state and industry. The states and industries pages have the latest benchmarks.

Remember that the median weekly earnings for chemical engineers are not published, so any figure you see online is an estimate. Use the official data from ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia as your foundation, and always check the pay guides if you are covered by an award.

Three Quick Takeaways

1. Location matters: WA and ACT have the highest state indexes, and WA employs the most chemical engineers.
2. Industry drives pay: Mining index 154.7 is the top, followed by professional services at 114.7.
3. No single average: Use the Salary Index to compare any offer against the national line of $108,352.

Whether you are a graduate or an experienced engineer, understanding where your salary sits on the index helps you negotiate with confidence.