Entry-level Chemical Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC
Based on 12 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Morrisville, Cary, Apex, Franklinton, New Hill.
Also listed as: Process Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,656 |
| 25th | $59,592 |
| 50th (median) | $61,500 |
| 75th | $67,250 |
| 90th | $77,000 |
Cost of living
Raleigh's median entry-level Chemical Engineer salary of $61,500 is worth about $62,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Raleigh = 98.2).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemical Engineers in the Raleigh, NC area earned a median of $111,210 in May 2025 (90 employed). The H-1B median here is $61,500, 45% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University | too few | 9 |
| Technosoft Engineering | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $61,500 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $51,792 | $61,500 | 12 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.