©  Copyright 2013 Working Conditions  Chemical engineers typically work in manufacturing plants, research laboratories, or pilot plant  facilities. They work around large-scale production equipment that is housed both indoors and  outdoors. Often they are required to wear safety protective equipment, such as hard hats, goggles,  and steel-toe shoes. Workdays may involve of moving from place to place within a facility. Chemical  engineers also work in business and management offices; these positions, however, often require  visiting research and production facilities. Interaction with other people who are part of a team is  critical to the success of projects.  Places of Employment Chemical engineers are employed by almost every type of company in the chemical process industry;  they work in a variety of settings, such as research, design, process control, sales, economic analysis,  and management. Petroleum refineries and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and service industries  also employ them. Approximately three-quarters of all chemical engineers are working in  manufacturing industries; the balance are employed by government or academia or are self-employed.  Personal Characteristics A strong interest in chemistry, math, and physics is vital to success in this field because chemical  engineering draws on all three disciplines. Chemical engineers are trained to apply lab processes to  large-scale production, monitor processes, and understand highly technical material. As a result,  thinking analytically, solving problems, and being creative are essential. Because projects often  involve complex processes and problems that require teamwork and the preparation of reports, good  interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are highly desirable.  Education and Training To enter the field, professionals must have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree in chemical  engineering that includes course work in physics, math (through differential equations), and  computers. A chemical engineer’s curriculum is similar to that of a chemist, but also includes course  work in engineering-related areas such as heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics,  process design and control, and electronics. Economics, psychology, and political science help  chemical engineers to understand the impact of technology on society. Chemical engineers say that  although they learn a lot of theory in the classroom, most of their knowledge of real-world applications  is derived from on-the-job training.  Job Outlook  The demand in the past few years for chemical engineers at major chemical and pharmaceutical  companies is expected to continue. As the biotechnology industry continues to grow, opportunities for  chemical engineers will expand. Chemical engineering research jobs are increasing in importance with  the development and large-scale implementation of new energy sources designed as substitutes for  the world’s diminishing supplies of petroleum and natural gas.  Salary Information To find out what a person in this type of position earns in your area of the country, please refer to the  ACS Salary Comparator. Use of the ACS Salary Comparator is a member-only benefit. General  information about salaries in chemical professions can be obtained through published survey results.  Chemical Engineering & Gas Processing