What Can I Become with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering?

Engineering is one of the broadest and most lucrative fields nowadays but navigating through the options also means considering the career perspectives after graduation.

Chemical Engineering is a Bachelor’s degree with a lot of potential and numerous employment opportunities. But what does this discipline actually empower you to become and do?

Find Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

First of all, you should know that chemical engineers don’t just sit in labs all day, combining substances and making sure they don’t explode. That is only a small part of their work, as they can dabble in areas like food and agriculture, oil and gas, health and the environment, etc.

Where can you study a Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s degree?

You can study an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering in many countries worldwide, but the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are the ones offering the highest number of Chemical Engineering programmes.

Here are a few universities we recommend to future chemical engineers:

Washington State University, the US
Lakehead University, Canada
London South Bank University, the UK
Aalborg University Esbjerg, Denmark
Aalto University, Finland
Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
RMIT University, Australia

You can also check out online Bachelors in Chemical Engineering.

A Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s degree will open doors in many fields in terms of work opportunities. Some of the most common jobs for Chemical Engineering graduates are:

1. Chemical Plant and System Operator

Average salary in the US: 68,300 USD/year

You can get hired by chemical manufacturing companies that make soaps, paint, coating, pesticide, and more. Main responsibilities for chemical plant operators:

Ensure that all the equipment used in chemical plants works according to standards
Instruct, evaluate, and inspect all personnel regarding the proper use of equipment
Run tests, check for malfunctions, troubleshoot, and make or suggest adjustments
Improve the overall quality, efficiency and safety of the chemical plant

2. Manufacturing Production Technician

Average salary in the US: 70,970 USD/year

Companies that manufacture chemical goods are the largest potential employer for students with a Chemical Engineering diploma. Main responsibilities for manufacturing production technicians:

Work directly with machinery and equipment used in the process of manufacturing raw materials (e.g. oil, iron, coal) or goods (e.g. clothing, medication, pesticides).
Set up the equipment and ensure all regulations and safety measures are met
Run tests, monitor equipment, and adjust operations during the manufacturing process
Inspect finished products, check their quality, and make other verifications to determine if they meet customer standards

Chemical Engineering Bachelor's degrees

3. Food Scientist

Average salary in the US: 65,940 USD/year

Not surprisingly, Chemical Engineering graduates are also pursued by food manufacturing companies, as well as universities, government organisations, and research institutes. Main responsibilities for food scientists:

Evaluate the qualities of various food, such as nutritional value, colour, flavour and texture
Test and compare food samples, look for harmful bacteria, create detailed reports
Check if the processes used to manufacture food products meet the official regulations
Research work: find new ways to manufacture food or new types of food to be produced

4. Biotechnologist

Average salary in the US: 50,870 USD/year

Such a position is of high importance for pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutes. Main responsibilities for biotechnologists:

Develop new drugs, vaccines, experimental treatments, and even artificial organs
Study, research and apply principles of human genetics to living cells and use biological techniques to create antibiotics, insulin, hormones, etc.
Work in scientific research teams, support research ideas and directions, obtain funding for projects

5. Environmental Engineer

Average salary in the US: 66,600 USD/year

You will find positions at NGOs, environmental consulting firms, as well as waste management companies. Main responsibilities of environmental engineers:

Use knowledge from various fields (engineering, chemistry, biology) to find solutions to environmental challenges, such as air and water pollution, soil degradation, deforestation, etc.
Offer recommendations to local authorities in order to monitor and reduce the levels of pollution in that area and clean waste sites
Work with architects and other engineers to design projects that are environmentally friendly and sustainable