Chemical Engineers work with problems of chemical, biochemical, and physical changes in the composition of matter. They design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for use in the manufacture of chemicals; related products such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, composite materials, detergents, cement, paper; and other manufactured goods which may utilize these products.

JOB DUTIES

Chemical Engineers may:

Conduct tests throughout the production process to determine the degree of control over variables such as density, temperature, specific gravity, and pressure

Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes

Perform laboratory studies of steps in the manufacture of a new product and then set up a pilot plant (small scale operation) to test the proposed process

Make recommendations concerning new manufacturing processes location, and design of new plants, or modification of existing plants

Design and plan the layout for constructing and improving equipment to implement chemical processes on a commercial scale

Determine the most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying

Supervise workers operating equipment

Prepare estimates of production costs and write reports

Select equipment and instruments to regulate processing

Develop safety procedures

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The tools and equipment used may include:  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Chemical Engineers may specialize in these areas:

008.061-018  CHEMICAL ENGINEERS design chemical plants and equipment and develop processes for manufacturing chemicals and chemical products such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, composite materials, and plastics.

008.061-014  CHEMICAL PROCESS DESIGN ENGINEERS design equipment and devise efficient, safe processes to create chemical changes in elements and compounds to produce desired products.

008.061-010  ABSORPTION-AND-ADSORPTION ENGINEERS design equipment and develop chemical processes to remove and separate parts of gas mixtures or liquid solutions by absorption or adsorption (the adhesion of a substance to materials it contacts).

008.061-022  CHEMICAL RESEARCH ENGINEERS conduct research on chemical processes and equipment to discover facts or to test, prove, or modify engineering theory.

008.061-026  CHEMICAL-TEST ENGINEERS conduct tests on chemicals, fuels, and chemical processes. They direct and coordinate activities concerned with instruments, equipment, and control devices necessary to test, record, and simplify test data. They also supervise testing activities.

Chemical Engineers may also specialize in a process, such as oxidation, or in a product, such as plastics and polymer composite materials.

Many Chemical Engineers work in fields related to the solution of environmental, sociological, and biological problems. Some titles they may hold include biochemical engineer, environmental pollution control engineer, energy engineer, resource recovery engineer, and hazardous waste management specialist.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Chemical Engineers generally work as part of a team. They may supervise technicians and be supervised by a project director. Depending on the individual project, they may work with chemists, physicists, metallurgists, and other engineers and technicians of various kinds.

Chemical Engineers usually perform part of their work in modern, climate-controlled laboratories. Most Chemical Engineers work in manufacturing industries, primarily those producing chemicals, petroleum, and related products. Extremes in temperature, machine noise, and disagreeable odors may be experienced. Other Chemical Engineers work in plants which produce such items as synthetic fuels, pharmaceuticals, or food and beverages.

Some Engineers work for pollution control agencies and public utilities where conditions vary considerably. Health hazards may be present because of toxic gases, fumes, dust, or liquids. Chemical Engineers working in colleges or universities usually work in a well lighted and well ventilated environment.

Generally, Chemical Engineers work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. They may work irregular hours when emergencies occur, when deadlines must be met, or when a new process goes into effect. Those teaching in colleges or universities may have varied hours depending on research and teaching assignments.

Chemical Engineers may join one or more professional associations such as The American Chemical Society or The American Institute of Chemical Engineers . Association members must usually pay annual dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which require a creative imagination

• Activities relating to machines, processes, and methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason clearly and logically

• Communicate well in speech and writing

• Use mathematics quickly and accurately

• See how 2-dimensional representations look as 3-dimensional objects

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within set limits and tolerances

• Evaluate information

• Make decisions using measurable standards/personal judgment

• Direct, control, and plan the activities of others

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

How many molecules are present in a particle which contains 1.0 x 10ý molecules?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

When an alcohol is heated in the presence of a mineral acid catalyst, it readily loses a molecule of water to give an alkene.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write a memorandum explaining a new discovery that you have made.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You have to be able to brainstorm ways to create an already existing chemical that is free of pollutants.  

Although most Chemical Engineers in industry need not be licensed, some states require that individuals who wish to use the title "Licensed Professional Engineer" or who practice as consulting engineers must be licensed or registered. The State of Michigan may require a license for this occupation.  Click  here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Engineer, Licensed Professional for specific licensing information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

027 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Programs in Chemical Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for professional leadership in the application of chemical engineering to the development of chemicals, synthetic fibers, fuels, plastics, and other materials needed for everyday living. Most employment is in the chemical or petroleum industries; however, government, universities, and research institutes may offer employment.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:  

058 ENGINEERING (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Joining the Junior Engineering Technical Society  (JETS) provides practical information on Engineering and contact with professional engineers. College and university Chemical Engineering students may participate in work/study programs, internships, or other experimental learning programs. Cooperative education programs in engineering are available through various industries and departments and agencies of the federal government.

New Chemical Engineering graduates often get their first jobs when large corporations and recruiters come to university placement offices to interview students in chemical engineering. Professional societies may help their members find employment. Newspaper want ads may also be used as a source of job information. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Chemical Engineers depend on their educational background, experience, and ability; area of specialization; level of responsibility; and the type, size, and location of the employer.

Nationally, the median annual salary of all Chemical Engineers was $73,320 in 2007. The average annual salary of licensed professional Chemical Engineers was $109,594 (early 2008). Most experienced professional engineers earned between $64,500 and $165,000 annually (early 2008). According to a 2008 survey of bachelor degree graduates in chemical engineering, the average salary offered was $63,749 per year.

The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $36,140 in 2007.

In the 2007-2008 school year, "full" professors in the engineering disciplines in public universities had average earnings of about $109,073.

Depending on their college records, Chemical Engineers employed by the federal government had annual starting salaries (2008) of:

The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Recent Chemical Engineering graduates of a large Michigan university were offered average annual starting salaries of $59,567 for a bachelor's degree (2007).

Chemical Engineers and Chemical Engineering Managers employed by the State of Michigan earned between $47,878 and $85,629 per year (mid 2008).  Chemical Engineers employed by the City of Detroit earned from $48,700 to $73,500 annually (early 2008). Those employed by Wayne County earned from $41,813 to $73,429 per year (mid 2008).

Depending on the employer, Chemical Engineers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. In addition, some employers offer Chemical Engineers the opportunity to buy stock in the company.

Advancement for Chemical Engineers also depends on education, professional registration, and personal ability. Chemical Engineers usually start as junior or assistant engineers. As they gain experience, they usually advance to a position of greater responsibility.

Many high-ranking corporate executives are trained engineers who have risen through the administrative ranks.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, approximately 30,400 Chemical Engineers were employed in 2006. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average through the year 2016. The industry distribution for Chemical Engineers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Approximately 800 Chemical Engineers are employed in Michigan. Most Chemical Engineers worked in or near urban areas and large cities.  

Employment of Chemical Engineers in Michigan is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 40 openings is due to growth and replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Chemical Engineers who are highly skilled in new technologies such as laser, plasma processing, polymer technology, and other biomaterials will have the most opportunities for employment. The designing, building, and maintenance of chemical manufacturing plants and equipment intended for the more complex and automated chemical processes will provide employment for some new engineers. Pharmaceuticals may provide better opportunities than other areas of the chemical manufacturing industry. Much of the projected growth in employment of Chemical Engineers, however, will be in non-manufacturing industries, especially services industries.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

MSA Designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth