Chemical engineers held about 34,300 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most chemical engineers were as follows:
Engineering services
16%
Basic chemical manufacturing
14
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
10
Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
7
Resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial synthetic fibers and filaments manufacturing
7
Chemical engineers work mostly in offices or laboratories. They may spend time at industrial plants, refineries, and other locations, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Chemical engineers must be able to work with those who design other systems and with the technicians and mechanics who put the designs into practice.
Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites, both domestically and abroad.
Injuries and Illnesses
Chemical engineers can be exposed to health or safety hazards when handling certain chemicals and plant equipment, but such exposure can be avoided if proper procedures are followed.
Work Schedules
Nearly all chemical engineers work full time. Occasionally, they may have to work additional hours to meet production targets and design standards or to troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes.