Design and optimize the processes that turn crude oil and natural gas into fuels, plastics, and chemicals — blending chemical and process engineering in the energy sector. Median salary in Elizabeth: $139K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Petrochemical Engineers in Elizabeth earn approximately 11% higher than the US national median for this role — a $14,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Elizabeth's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Elizabeth's cost-of-living index (145), the median Petrochemical Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $95,862 in a US-average-cost city. That's $29,138 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
New Jersey's 10.75% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $14,943 per year at the median salary. A Petrochemical Engineer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $139K by 2030.
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The median Petrochemical Engineer salary in Elizabeth, NJ is $139,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Elizabeth–NJ metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Petrochemical Engineers in Elizabeth with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $106,000 and $139,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $139,000 to $181,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $181,000 to $229,000 or more.
Elizabeth has a cost of living index of 145 compared to the US national average of 100. Elizabeth's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. New Jersey has a 10.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Chemical or Petroleum Engineering. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.