Detailed Guide on Career in Chemical Engineering

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, making a career in chemical engineering can be a good option as the employment of chemical engineers will grow at a rate of 14% in the coming years.

A career after chemical engineering looks promising for graduates as the field opens up different paths. The salary is also attractive.

There are many colleges offering courses in chemical engineering. Admission is usually based on merit or admission. Also, the most accepted entrance exam for a degree in chemical engineering is JEE Mains and JEE Advanced.

If you want to pursue higher studies in chemical engineering, the GATE exam is conducted for postgraduate engineering admissions.

This article will tell you about the chemical engineering scope, jobs, and courses you can take.

Best Chemical Engineering Career Options

If you want to make a career in chemical engineering then here are some of the top job options.

Chemical Engineer

• They are tasked with converting raw materials into their usable counterparts.
• They are in the charge of designing and developing phases of the products and focus on harnessing raw materials like oil and altering their chemical state to make products for the general public’s use like plastic.

Skills

• IT and numeracy skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Work well under pressure

Salary

Chemical engineers earn an average salary of INR 3.5 LPA.

Energy Engineer

• As an energy engineer, your main task will be to produce and manage energy from the extraction to the processing level of natural resources like oil and gas.
• Along with this, owing to the global demand, you will also be required to use your expertise in producing renewable or clean forms of energy like hydro-powered energy, wind energy, and solar energy.

Skills

• Knowledge of the energy market
• Analytical skills
• Leadership skills
• Organizational skills

Salary

An energy engineer earns an average salary of INR 4 LPA.

 Petroleum Engineer

• Petroleum engineers are responsible for all the stages of oil extraction- from evaluation to development and the production of petrol.
• They are also tasked with finding newer and cleaner drilling methods and resolving issues with the operations of the petroleum plant.

Skills

• Strong technical skills
• Teamworking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Numerical skills

Salary

A petroleum engineer earns an average salary of INR 4.8 LPA.

Nuclear Engineer

• You can do a BSc in Physics and then BTech to become a nuclear engineer.
• As a nuclear engineer, you will be tasked with working alongside a team of highly trained chemical engineers who will together manage, run, and design the functioning of a nuclear power station.
• The role varies but is generally categorized into either developing completely new systems, running the existing ones, or making the existing systems more efficient to improve the sustainability of the nuclear power station.

Skills

• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Logical-thinking skills
• Detail-oriented

Salary

A nuclear engineer earns an average salary of INR 10 LPA.

Product Process Engineer

• Product process engineers are tasked to bring a similar input level to their workings.
• Their job entails streamlining the manufacturing process and production or process of a product to make it more efficient and economical.

Skills

• Written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Computer skills

Salary

A product process engineer earns an average salary of INR 4.1 LPA.

Analytical Chemist

• An analytical chemist studies and analyzes the chemical composition of elements and substances
• They study and experiment to understand the different states and behaviour of chemicals.

Skills

• IT skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Numerical skills
• Analytical skills

Salary

An analytical chemist earns an average salary of INR 3 LPA.

Mining Engineer

• They are in charge of the mining operations and look after safety standards.
• They have to keep technical knowledge of excavation sites and manage the planning of the mine.

Skills

• Management skills
• Organizational skills
• Technical skills
• Teamworking skills

Salary

A mining engineer earns an average salary of INR 4.5 LPA.

Environmental Engineer

• Environmental engineers develop renewable infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively.
• They also conduct technical audits and conduct environmental impact assessments.
• They are also responsible for making any recommendations on cleaning, improvement and waste management activities.

Skills

• Problem-solving skills
• Writing skills
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills

Salary

An environmental engineer earns an average salary of INR 3.6 LPA.

Food Scientist

• A food scientist analyzes chemicals in food and also checks the food through various tests.
• They also analyze the nutritional content of food, discover new food sources, and research ways to make processed foods safer and healthier.

Skills

• Resolve problems
• Analyzing data
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills

Salary

A food scientist earns an average of INR 4.9 LPA.

Water Resources Engineer

• Their job is to develop and execute plans to develop and implement water systems and seek out water pollution and provide safe and clean water.
• They are also involved in construction projects of water distribution.

Skills

• Strong technical skills
• Teamworking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Numerical skills

Salary

A water resource engineer earns an average salary of INR 4.2 LPA.

Courses after C.E.

Courses	Eligibility	Subjects	Job Options
Diploma in Chemical Engineering	Students should have passed the 10th or 12th examination in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognized board.	Basic Mathematics Basic Computer Systems Chemistry Engineering Drawing Physics Engineering Mathematics	Plant Operator Market Analyst Process Engineer Chemical Engineer
Integrated MTech Chemical Engineering	Students should have completed Bachelor’s degree with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the main subjects.	Advanced Process Control Process Modelling & Simulation Chemical Reactor Analysis & Design Advances in Fluidization Engg. Chemical Process Design	Senior Process Engineer Chemical Process Engineer Production Manager
PhD	Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or an equivalent field.	Energy and Environment Materials Engineering Reaction Engineering Transport Phenomena and Complex Fluids Bio-Chemical Engineering	Research Scientist Energy Manager Manufacturing Engineer Mining Engineer
MBA	Students should have completed Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% from a recognized university.	Water TechnologyPolymersCorrosionFuels and CombustionEnvironmental Aspects of Chemistry	Biochemical Engineer Analytical Chemist Production Manager Supplier Quality Engineer

Future of Chemical Engineering

A career after chemical engineering is wide as a variety of jobs are available for chemical engineers after completing the degree. All you have to do is do research and decide which path you want to take.

Since the Indian chemical industry is worth 574 billion, it is creating many job opportunities for chemical engineering graduates. There will be more jobs in the field in the years to come and you will have plenty of options to choose from.

A career in chemical engineering is broad where you can choose between Food Scientist, Analytical Chemist, Environmental Engineer etc. The chemical engineer salary is good and with more experience, you can earn more than INR 10 LPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

 Q1. Which job is best after chemical engineering?

Ans. Students who want to make a career in chemical engineering must complete their bachelor’s degree after which they can join public or private firms. Since the future of chemical engineering is bright, they can choose to work in various fields.

Some of the best jobs include:

• Professor
• Process Design Engineer
• Environmental Waste Manager
• Petroleum Engineer
• Regulatory Affairs Engineer

Q2. Is a Chemical Engineer a good career?

Ans. Yes, making a career in chemical engineering is a good career. It is a great stream for students who have a deep interest in science i.e., Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as well as biology and biochemistry. Chemical Engineering is a bit hard, but it offers great career opportunities.

Following is some career after chemical engineering:

• Process Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Senior Process Engineer
• Petrochemical Engineer
• Professor

Q3. What are the subjects of chemical engineering?

Ans. To pursue a career in chemical engineering, you must study design, research and development, and operations. In the course curricula, you will be taught different types of subjects. These subjects include:

• Biochemical Engineering
• High Polymer Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Safety Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• Process Instrumentation
• Material Science and Engineering
• Food Technology

Q4. What does a chemical engineer do?

Ans. A career in chemical engineering is very broad. The work of these engineers includes designing products like paper, plastics, petrochemicals, polymers, food products, medicines, fertilizers etc. They also conduct laboratory experiments to check the safety, durability, and usage before the production of any product. Mainly their job role is to manufacture and produce different types of products.

Q5. How to earn money being a subject matter expert?

Ans. You can become Chegg’s Q/A Expert and solve students’ queries. Candidates can choose any subject of their choice which includes Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Business, Psychology, Biology, etc. You will be paid for every correct answer.

It is remote work that will allow you to work from the comfort of your home and will provide you with all the benefits including working as per your schedule and getting paid on time.

Q6. What does a chemical plant and system operator do?

Ans. Chemical plant and system operators are responsible for equipment use. They treat water, develop medicines, or do other related tasks. Hence, they must have experience with scientific processes. Also, they must have the mechanical knowledge to operate and monitor the plants. The major roles are:

• Monitoring machines
• Operations of response systems
• Chemical process

Q7. What does a manufacturing production technician do?

Ans. Manufacturing production technicians are responsible for the installation, testing, and repair of machinery. Also, they improve the quality of manufacturing. It leads to better products and profits for the company. It is one of the best chemical engineering careers.

The skills required are:

• Good motor skills
• Ability to see flaws
• Ability to follow instructions

Q8. What does a food scientist do?

Ans. A food scientist does an analysis of chemicals in food. Also, they check the food through various tests. This job involves degrees in engineering.

The main role includes:

• Resolve problems
• Analyzing data
• Attention to detail

A food scientist earns an average of INR 4.19 LPA. The minimum salary is around INR 3 LPA and with more experience, you can make up to INR 7 LPA.

Q9. Who is a biotechnologist?

Ans. A biotechnologist works in pharma and medical companies. It is the best career in chemical engineering for those who have studied biology. Their work includes working on developing new vaccines, drugs, tests and prostheses. They also research genetics and make antibiotics and hormones etc.

A biotechnologist earns an average of INR 3 LPA. The minimum salary is around INR 1 LPA and with more experience, you can make up to INR 6.2 LPA.

Q10. Who are environmental health and safety engineers?

Ans. The job of environmental health and safety engineers involves mitigating risks for their company. They also conduct audits to identify and mitigate risks and to determine environmental impacts by observation and testing.

Those who are interested in the environment can make their career in chemical engineering. An environmental health and safety engineer earns an average of INR 6.2 LPA.

Q11. What does an energy engineer do?

Ans. An energy engineer is a person who oversees complex energy systems. Also, they work on the storage system and ensure the use of energy in construction systems. They also analyze efficiencies, technologies, economic feasibility and operations. This is the best career for those who want to make their career in chemical engineering.

Q12. What is the chemical engineering monthly salary?

Ans. If you want to make a career in chemical engineering then you can earn an average of INR 3.5 LPA in the initial stage of the job. So, according to this pay scale, the monthly chemical engineering salary will be approximately INR 29200 per month. The salary generally depends on the type and availability of the project, type of company, experience as well as educational qualification.

Q13. What is the highest salary in Chemical Engineering?

Ans. The highest salary is around INR 9.5 LPA for those who want to make their career in chemical engineering. They can earn a lot depending on the type of industry and their experience. In India, the highest paying job in this field of engineering is Chemical Plant Technical Director. Moreover, the average chemical engineering salary in India is around INR 3.5 LPA. Thus, it is a good-paying stream.

Q14. What are the top-paying companies that employ chemical engineers in India?

Ans. Government companies generally offer better salaries as compared to private firms. Those who are looking to make their career in chemical engineering can join the public sector. Furthermore, salary depends on various factors such as qualification, experience, type of job profile, type of company, etc.

The following are the top-paying companies:

• Bayer Crop Science Ltd
• ONGC Petro Addition Limited
• Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited
• UPL Limited
• P I Industries Ltd
• Gas Authority of India Limited