Global Employment Trends of Chemical Engineering Graduates

1. Introduction

Chemical engineering plays a pivotal role in the modern world, converting scientific

principles into practical applications and supporting numerous industries such as

pharmaceuticals, energy and materials. As the world industrializes and technology

improves, the demand for chemical engineering grads is always changing.

Understanding global job trends and challenges is important for students, universities,

and the industry. This research aims to conduct a comprehensive exploration of these

aspects and provide a basis for relevant decisions.

2.Literature Review

Chemical engineers are well paid and have a good job outlook. The study made by the

Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median annual wage for chemical engineers

was $112,100 in May 2023. Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow

10 percent from 2023 to 2033 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). Although this report

only focuses on America, it can serve as a reference for global trends.

A study by the University of British Columbia pointed out that there is a growing

demand for chemical and biological engineers due to technological advancements, a

(University of British Columbia, 2024). We can see that chemical engineering offers

surprisingly good career opportunities.

The University of Bath conducted a study that shows that chemical engineering

graduates in the UK generally have amazing employment prospects. For example, the

University of Bath reported that 85% of their 2020/21 chemical engineering graduates

were in employment 15 months after graduation (University of Bath, 2022).

As for China, an article in HiredChina.com reported that China's rapid industrial

growth and focus on research innovation have made it a significant hub for chemical

engineering professionals. There is a demand for foreign expertise, particularly in

areas like simulation, process optimization, and material engineering (HiredChina,

2024). Evidently, chemical engineering is highly regarded and offers excellent

compensation in many countries.

Another research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics gives an industry profile for

chemical engineers, which tells us the employment numbers, annual wages, and

percent of industry employment across different sectors (Bureau of Labor Statistics,

2023). Also, an article by EngineeringUK reveals nearly three-quarters of graduates

who studied engineering and technology (72.5%) were in paid work for an employer

15 months after graduation. This is higher than that for graduates from all other

subjects combined (EngineeringUK, 2024). It’s clear that the society has a huge
requirement for engineering and tech skills, and chemical engineering is included in

that too.

3.Objectives

Nowadays, with the development of chemical technology, more jobs are provided for

people. So, in order to understand the job market for chemical engineering majors, we

did the following research that seeks to the following objectives about the

employment of the chemical industry.

To understand what the global employment trends are for chemical engineering

graduates, for example, by looking into the employment trend of chemical

engineering majors in China, and comparing it with other countries such as Australia

or the United States, to see which regions offer better opportunities or higher demand.

To find the opportunities and risks brought by emerging fields to the chemical

engineering specialty. For instance, the development of new energy, such as hydrogen

fuel or solar power, has led to the growth of new chemical industries. These areas

bring new job positions but may also reduce the need for traditional roles in petroleum

or coal-based industries.

To analyze the skills or factors that contribute to better employment outcomes. Like

professional chemical knowledge and work experience, for example, experience in

plants, all help improve job chances.

To help students understand what they should prepare for in their future careers,

including improving communication skills, teamwork ability, and understanding of

global industry standards, which are important when working in international

companies or cross-cultural environments.

4. Methodology

This research will use a secondary data analysis method. We will collect data from

existing sources such as government reports, university graduate surveys, and

international websites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, EngineeringUK, and

OECD. These sources will help us understand global employment trends for chemical

engineering graduates. We will focus on three aspects, including employment rates,

skills required by employers, and new opportunities in emerging industries. By

comparing data from different countries, we can see what skills or factors lead to

better job outcomes. No new surveys or interviews will be used in this project and all

the information will come from existing data sources.

5. Expected Outcomes

The study is expected to show the main trends in chemical engineering employment
around the world. For example, the employment of chemical engineers in the United

States is projected to grow by 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, with a median annual

wage of $112,100 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024). In the United Kingdom, 85% of

chemical engineering graduates from the University of Bath were employed within 15

months after graduation (University of Bath 2022). China also shows strong demand

for chemical engineers, especially in fields like process simulation and materials

engineering (HiredChina 2024). It may also help identify the most important skills or

qualifications that employers look for. These may include strong chemical knowledge,

practical experience, and familiarity with sustainable technologies (University of

British Columbia 2024). These results can help students understand what to prepare

for in their future careers and how to improve their chances in the global job market,

such as by gaining more internships experience or focusing on areas with growing

demand.

6.Significance of the study

This research has the potential to contribute to the employment of chemical

engineering students by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the

employment prospects of chemical engineering major. The finding of the study can

help us find a suitable job and prepare for future work needs.

7. Timeline
The research will be conducted over a period of three months, starting from March

2025 to June 2025. Relevant data and information will be gathered from existing

sources and analyzed during this period, with the final report expected to be

completed by June 2025.

8. Conclusion

This research has conducted an investigation into the global employment trends of

chemical engineering graduates, and analyzed the current situation and trends in the

job market, as well as challenges faced by graduates. The research results can help

students clarify their career directions, assist them in learning skills in a targeted

manner, and enhance their employability. For educational institutions, they can

optimize the course settings according to the research findings to cultivate talents.

Reference

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024. “Chemical Engineers.” Occupational Outlook

Handbook. Last modified April 9, 2024.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-

engineers.htm.

University of British Columbia. 2024. “The Growing Demand for Chemical and

Biological Engineers.” Department of Chemical and Biological

students/undergraduate/the-growing-demand-for-chemical-and-

biological-engineers/.

University of Bath. 2022. Graduate Outcomes for Chemical Engineering 2020–21.

Bath: University of Bath.

https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/graduate-outcomes-for-chemical-

engineering/attachments/go-graduate-destinations-chemical-

engineering-2020-21.pdf.

HiredChina. 2024. “Chemical Engineering Jobs in China.” HiredChina. Accessed

April 9, 2025. https://www.hiredchina.com/articles/chemical-

engineering-jobs-in-china/.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2023. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023:

17-2041 Chemical Engineers.” U.S. Department of Labor.

https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes172041.htm.

EngineeringUK. 2024. “Strong Employment Prospects for Engineering and

Technology Graduates.” Accessed April 9, 2025.

https://www.engineeringuk.com/latest-news/news-articles/strong-

employment-prospects-for-engineering-and-technology-graduates/.