Chemical Engineer Salary in India: A Complete Guide
Chemical engineers play a crucial role in transforming raw materials into useful products, impacting industries like pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and more. Over the past decade, the demand for chemical engineers in India has increased by 80%, making it a growing and promising career path. Their work involves not just designing processes but also research, quality control, and ensuring safety in manufacturing. Understanding the salary of a chemical engineer in India depends on factors such as experience, the company or institute they work for, and the specific role they take on within the organization.
Chemical Engineer Salary in India
The average salary of a chemical engineer in India is about ₹55,000 per month, or approximately ₹6 lakh per year (LPA). However, this amount can vary due to several factors like your role, experience, location, and the company you work for. Below, we break down some common factors that can influence a chemical engineer’s salary and the potential annual income you can expect.
Chemical Engineer Salary Based on Job Roles
Chemical engineers can work in different sectors like petrochemicals, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and even academics. Each job role comes with its own responsibilities and pay scale. Below are some of the most common job roles that chemical engineers pursue, along with the average salaries they can expect in India:
| Job Role | Salary (in INR) |
| Chemical Process Engineer | ₹ 4.91 LPA |
| Chemical Engineer | ₹ 4.87 LPA |
| Professor | ₹ 10 LPA |
| Assistant Professor | ₹ 4.07 LPA |
| Process Engineers | ₹ 4.58 LPA |
| Senior Process Engineer | ₹ 6.46 LPA |
Chemical Engineer Salary Based on Institutes
Top companies like Reliance Industries, Tata Chemicals, and PepsiCo often recruit from well-known institutions such as IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and NITs (National Institutes of Technology). The institute you graduate from can significantly impact both your job opportunities and the salary you can expect. Here is the salary that a chemical engineer can expect after graduating from the top institutions in India.
| Institutes | Salary (in INR) |
| National Institute of Technology, Warangal | ₹ 7.49 LPA |
| National Institute of Technology, Rourkela | ₹ 6.5 LPA |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | ₹ 6.05 LPA |
| National Institute of Technology, Surathkal | ₹ 14.15 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Dhanbad | ₹ 15.5 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi | ₹ 10 LPA |
| National Institute of Technology Trichy | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad | ₹ 15.52 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati | ₹ 11 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee | ₹ 13.16 LPA |
| Indian Institute Of Technology, Kharagpur | ₹ 15 LPA |
| Indian Institute Of Technology, Kanpur | ₹ 10 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai | ₹ 20.34 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi | ₹ 16 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Technology, Madras | ₹ 16.1 LPA |
Chemical Engineer Salary Based on Company
Chemical engineers are well-compensated, especially in sectors like oil and gas, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Multinational corporations (MNCs) tend to offer higher salaries, but public sector companies also provide attractive packages with additional benefits. Here is the salary of chemical engineers in some of the top companies.
1. Chemical Engineer Salary – Private Sector Recruiter
Below are some of the top private-sector companies that offer high salaries to chemical engineers. While these companies provide competitive packages, smaller or lesser-known firms may not offer salaries in the same range.
| Private Sector | Salary (in INR) |
| Schlumberger Limited | ₹ 8 LPA |
| Indian Oil Corporation | ₹ 6 LPA |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | ₹ 7 LPA |
| Johnson Matthey | ₹ 6 LPA |
| Essar Oil Limited | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Gazprom Industries | ₹ 6 LPA |
| Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited | ₹ 7 LPA |
| GlaxoSmithKline | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
| Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd | ₹ 4 LPA |
| Arofine Polymers Ltd | ₹ 3 LPA |
| Nippon Paints | ₹ 4 LPA |
2. Chemical Engineer Salary – Public Sector
Public sector companies like Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) offer competitive salary packages to chemical engineers, along with additional benefits, such as job security and pensions. Below are some of the top public sector companies and the salaries of chemical engineers in India:
| Public Sector | Salary (in INR) |
| Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited | ₹ 3 LPA |
| Gas Authority of India Ltd. | ₹ 4 LPA |
| Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited | ₹ 4 LPA |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
| Coal India Limited | ₹ 4.58 LPA |
| Indian Oil Corporation Limited | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Bharat Electronics Limited | ₹ 3.75 LPA |
| National Thermal Power Corporation Limited | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Steel Authority of India Limited | ₹ 3.5 LPA |
| National Aluminum Company Ltd. | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
Chemical Engineer Salary Based on Experience
The salary of a chemical engineer increases significantly with experience. Freshers typically earn lower salaries as they are still developing practical skills and learning industry standards. In contrast, experienced engineers command higher pay due to their ability to handle complex tasks, lead projects, and deliver higher-quality results. Here’s a breakdown of chemical engineer salaries based on experience:
| Experience | Salary (in INR) |
| 0-5 years | ₹ 4 LPA |
| 6-10 years | ₹ 8 LPA |
| 11-15 years | ₹ 10 LPA |
| 16-20 years | ₹ 12 LPA |
| Above 20 years | ₹ 20+ LPA |
Chemical Engineer Salary Based on City
The city you live in can significantly affect your annual salary as a chemical engineer. For example, cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi are hubs for multinational companies. These companies often have a high demand for skilled chemical engineers, which tends to result in higher salaries for professionals in these areas. Here is the salary of chemical engineering jobs in India based in different locations:
| Top Cities | Salary (in INR) |
| Delhi | ₹ 6 LPA |
| Mumbai | ₹ 6 LPA |
| Hyderabad | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
| Chennai | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Bangalore | ₹ 5 LPA |
| Pune | ₹ 4.5 LPA |
What Is the Scope of B.Tech Chemical Engineering Jobs in India?
India’s chemical engineering industry ranks fifth globally in terms of revenue and job creation. As one of the world’s largest sectors, it produces over 70,000 different products across industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and consumer goods.
A B.Tech in Chemical Engineering opens up many career paths. Graduates can earn up to ₹9.03 LPA, with those from top institutions like NITs and IITs often securing higher salaries. Career opportunities include roles such as chemical engineer, process engineer, senior engineer, assistant professor, or even research positions focusing on disease treatment. Additionally, by enrolling in an online training course you can enhance your skills and stay updated with the latest industry trends. This will increase your chances of securing higher-paying roles.
Conclusion
The average salary of a chemical engineer in India is quite rewarding, with opportunities spread across various sectors and industries. While salaries may vary, you can always boost your earning potential by improving your skills and gaining experience. The insights provided in this blog can help you make informed decisions about which sector or company suits your goals best. If you’re exploring chemical engineering careers, be sure to check out our blog on the highest-paying chemical engineering jobs to learn more about key responsibilities and job prospects in the field.
FAQs
Answer: As a chemical engineer, you would be required to have a strong understanding of chemistry and mathematics, particularly algebra and calculus for modeling processes. Additionally, technical proficiency with software tools like simulation programs and data analysis platforms is essential for designing and optimizing chemical processes.
Answer: The highest salary for a chemical engineer can vary based on factors like experience, industry, and location. In top multinational companies, highly experienced chemical engineers can earn between ₹15 to ₹30 lakhs per year or even more.
Answer: IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi are considered among the top institutions to pursue chemical engineering. These institutions offer strong industry connections and placement opportunities.
