UK chemical engineers in 5 per cent pay boost

Average salaries for Chartered Chemical Engineers in the UK and Ireland have risen by 5 per cent since 2008 according to new data published by IChemE (the Institution of Chemical Engineers).

Results of the IChemE 2010 UK and Ireland Salary Survey shiw the median salary for a Chartered Chemical Engineer is now £60,400/y, compared with £57,500/y in 2008. A Chartered Chemical Engineer aged 30-39 will typically earn around £8,500/y more than a non chartered chemical engineer of the same age.

Growth in median salaries has slowed since 2008. The biennial pay increase for Chartered Chemical Engineers was £2,900 between 2008 and 2010 compared to £4,500 (2006 to 2008) and £4,700 (2004 to 2006). For non chartered chemical engineers biennial growth was £1,000 compared to £2,900 (2006 to 2008) and £2,100 (2004 to 2006).

Average salaries are highest for chemical engineers working in oil and gas exploration and production (£62,500/y), contracting (£58,800/y) and oil refining (£57,000/y). The only sectors to see a decline in median salaries since 2008 are consultancy and plastics.

Median salaries are unchanged for UK chemical engineers working in R&D while those in a manufacturing and production role have enjoyed an 8% median increase. Chemical engineers working in construction and installation have seen median salaries increase by 15%.

Median salaries are highest for chemical engineers based in the South Central region (£58,515/y), the South East (£56,000/y) and Wales (£49,526/y).

IChemE chief executive, David Brown said that while the process industries have not been unaffected by the global economic downturn, chemical engineering remains a profession of choice: “Naturally chemical engineers haven’t been unscathed by the downturn but the survey proves that chemical engineering is still a good place to be – for income and for job prospects. And it also shows the value of being a chemical engineer is all the greater if you’re chartered.”

There was also good news for chemical engineering graduates with competitive median starting salaries of £27,500/y – a £1,500/y increase since 2008.

For more information, visit www.icheme.org/salarysurvey2010