Chemical engineering salary: what you can expect to take home in Australia

Chemical engineering salary in Australia

If you're considering a career as a chemical engineer or are already working in the field, you'll want to know what your chemical engineering salary could look like and how much of it ends up in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide draws on the latest available data to give you a realistic picture.

What the data says

Jobs and Skills Australia, the government agency that tracks occupation profiles, reports that there were about 3,100 chemical engineers employed in Australia at the time of the 2021 Census. The median age is 38, and 23% of the workforce is female. However, the agency does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this specific six-digit ANZSCO occupation (233111).

A well-known salary guide, , lists an average chemical engineering salary of $155,156 per year, with a range from $60,312 to $250,000. This figure is often cited in job advertisements and can serve as a useful benchmark, but remember that actual pay depends on your experience, the industry (manufacturing, mining, professional services), and the state you work in.

How it compares to national benchmarks

To put the $155,156 average in context, here are the key benchmarks from the on-site reference:

• National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (from 1 July 2026).
• All employees average weekly total earnings: $1,579.20 per week, or $82,118 per year (includes part-time workers).
• Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (excludes overtime and employer super).

The average chemical engineering salary of $155,156 is well above the full-time ordinary time average and nearly three times the national minimum wage. This reflects the specialised skills and qualifications required for the role.

What your take-home pay could look like

Let's estimate the take-home pay on a $155,156 salary using the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the Medicare levy. The calculation assumes no other deductions or offsets (other than the standard low-income tax offset, which phases out at this income level).

Income tax:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200 = $4,020
• $45,001 – $135,000: 30c per $1 over $45,000 = $27,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: 37c per $1 over $135,000 = $7,457.72
• Total tax before offsets: $38,477.72
• Low-income tax offset: $0 (phased out completely above $66,667)
• Income tax payable: $38,477.72

Medicare levy:

• Full rate of 2% applies because $155,156 is above the single upper threshold of $35,013.
• Medicare levy = $155,156 × 2% = $3,103.12

Total deductions: $38,477.72 + $3,103.12 = $41,580.84

Estimated annual take-home pay: $155,156 – $41,580.84 = $113,575.16

Fortnightly take-home: $113,575.16 ÷ 26 = $4,368.28

Weekly take-home: $113,575.16 ÷ 52 = $2,184.14

This is a rough estimate. Your actual take-home will vary if you have HELP/HECS debt, salary sacrifice arrangements, or if you are eligible for the Medicare levy surcharge exemption. For a more personalised calculation, use the Take-home pay tool.

Superannuation considerations

Most chemical engineering salaries are advertised as base pay plus super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. If your employer offers $155,156 plus super, they will contribute an additional $18,618.72 to your super fund each year. That money is not part of your take-home pay – it's invested for retirement. If a salary is quoted as 'package including super', the base salary is lower and the super component is included in the total figure. Always check the wording in job ads.

Where chemical engineers work

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, chemical engineers are most commonly employed in:

• Manufacturing
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Mining

These industries often have different pay scales. Mining, for example, tends to offer higher salaries but may involve FIFO (fly-in fly-out) arrangements. The salary guide average may be skewed by higher-paying sectors.

Final thoughts

A chemical engineering salary in Australia is generally well above average, but it's important to look beyond the headline figure. Understanding how tax, Medicare, and super affect your actual take-home pay helps you plan your finances. For more details on how tax and Medicare work, see the Tax and Medicare guide. And remember, the figures here are estimates only – always consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.