We surveyed 1,927 chemical engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical chemical engineer. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a chemical engineer?

Low

High

Working as a chemical engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that chemical engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a chemical engineer?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a chemical engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you’re born with, with a small aspect of skills you can learn.

Is it easy to get a job as a chemical engineer?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a chemical engineer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for chemical engineers.

Info

Do chemical engineers work full-time or part-time?

87% of chemical engineers work in full-time roles while 13% work part-time.

Is being a chemical engineer stressful?

Low

High

Stress is very commonplace for chemical engineers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a chemical engineer?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a chemical engineer.

How competitive is the workplace for chemical engineers?

Low

High

Chemical engineers see mild competition in their workplace.

Does being a chemical engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Chemical engineers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are chemical engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Chemical engineers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.

Do chemical engineers have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Chemical engineers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.

Is being a chemical engineer physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a chemical engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.

Are chemical engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, chemical engineers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a chemical engineer require attention to detail?

Low

High

As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for chemical engineers.

Does being a good chemical engineer require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a chemical engineer.