r/ChemicalEngineering • u/Illustrious-Art-55 • 14d ago

Salary Why are chemical engineers paid so less?

They work at dangerous sites, their work includes many complex operations, its way more complex then writing some code in AC room and the companies they work for? They earn in millions, still Chemical engineers are not paid good say in terms of IT industry or even automobile for that matter.

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u/CHENWizard 14d ago

Most of these companies are beholden to their shareholders to deliver profits. The most profitable companies pay their employees more. If you’re not getting paid well as a chemical engineer, you need to move companies OR you’re stuck in your role because you haven’t been able to move companies

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u/MuddyflyWatersman 14d ago edited 7d ago

companies only have to pay their employees enough to keep them.... That is the goal they are a commodity on paper that HR manages. If they need really top level employees then they do not want to lose them because they're more difficult to replace...... If they have lower level employees they care less... and they pay less

beholden to share owners?? do you understand who owns the company.... those are the OWNERS .... they want to return on their investment5

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u/CHENWizard 14d ago

This too. That could be OPs problem as well. If a company is dying for top talent, they’ll pay top talent what they’re worth. (Or if they really really need to fill a position)