Should You Get a Master’s in Chemical Engineering?

Making the decision to advance your education is never easy. Whether you’re a working parent, career changer, or working professional, there are a number of perceived obstacles that can deter you from taking the next step in your career.

For prospective chemical engineering students, determining whether returning to school is worth the time and investment often comes down to answering one question: Will a master’s degree help me build the skills, experience, and credentials I need to move forward in my career?

For many professionals, the answer is yes—especially for those who want to pursue specializations, gain hands-on experience, expand their network, or qualify for more advanced roles in fields like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, or manufacturing.

Below, we’ll explore what chemical engineering is, what careers are available in the field, what you can expect from a graduate curriculum, and four reasons to consider earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering is a subfield of engineering that focuses on the safe and economical manufacturing of products through chemical processes. Professionals in the field apply principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering to designing equipment, facilities, and systems for highly technical processes.

These processes include refining raw materials and processing chemicals. Chemical engineers also strive to enhance the sustainability of these processes and the products they help create, relying on foundational engineering knowledge of mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Careers in chemical engineering

There are numerous career paths available to professionals with a chemical engineering degree. Some of these job titles include:

• Chemical engineer: Chemical engineers design and oversee the production of chemicals, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biological products in chemical manufacturing processes. While most chemical engineers are employed by large-scale manufacturing plants, many also enjoy career opportunities in industries such as biotechnology, personal care products, and electronic device fabrication.
• Plant process engineer: Plant process engineers design manufacturing plants that safely transform raw materials into consumer products or other discrete materials. In order to create optimal designs, these engineers work closely with high-level personnel at manufacturing plants to meet the facilities’ every need. As project managers of the plant design process, plant process engineers work exclusively in large-scale manufacturing plants.
• Process design engineer: Process design engineers primarily help businesses create systems and processes to optimize various organizational resources, such as mechanical equipment, raw materials, and energy sources. While process design engineers are always striving to improve a company’s processes, they focus on maintaining production efficiency and reducing overall expenses. Process design engineers can work in many industries, including chemical, manufacturing, and food production.

Chemical engineering curriculum

Chemical engineering offers vast career opportunities for professionals looking to address the planet’s pressing challenges, and a foundational education is essential for all prospective chemical engineering professionals. Students in a chemical engineering master’s program can expect courses like the following:

• Chemical engineering mathematics
• Chemical engineering kinetics
• Statistical thermodynamics
• Design of experiments and ethical research

Individuals who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field shouldn’t be discouraged from pursuing a master’s degree in chemical engineering. Many master’s programs allow those without a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to apply, providing they complete supplementary undergraduate coursework to ensure they have the foundational knowledge to excel in master’s-level classes.

These educational programs allow students to develop an understanding of the foundational principles of chemical engineering while also offering career experience through various research opportunities. Earning an advanced degree in this field is extremely beneficial for anyone who is serious about a chemical engineering career.

Who should consider a master’s in chemical engineering?

A master’s in chemical engineering may be a good fit if you want to move beyond entry-level technical work, specialize in an area like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, or process engineering, or gain applied experience through research or co-op opportunities.

For those weighing the cost, time commitment, and potential return, consider comparing program outcomes and career goals before applying.

Reasons to earn a master’s in chemical engineering

There are many reasons why you should consider advancing your education, but the benefits vary between industries. Here’s an overview of the four reasons you should consider earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

1. Increase your earning potential.

Many working professionals pursue advanced education for financial reasons. Whether you’re looking for higher earning potential or greater job stability, a master’s degree in chemical engineering can help.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chemical engineers earned a median annual wage of $121,860 in May 2024.

The highest 10 percent of chemical engineers earned more than $182,150, though compensation can vary by role, industry, location, experience, and level of responsibility. For professionals who want to move into more specialized or advanced roles, a master’s degree can be one way to strengthen their qualifications and long-term earning potential.

2. Gain work experience opportunities.

Employers hiring chemical engineers value applicable work experience; however, this can be a common obstacle for many applicants who need that first job to break into the field. For example, job posting data shows that the average work experience requirement for chemical engineers is between three and six years. For professionals just beginning their careers, these experience requirements can prevent them from landing many attractive positions.

Master’s programs, like the one offered at Northeastern University, address this challenge by creating a curriculum that’s both experiential and relevant to today’s work environment.

Northeastern students can participate in the signature cooperative education program, gaining up to eight months of professional work experience in their area of interest. With a premier location in downtown Boston, a hub of biotech, academia, and renowned medical and pharmaceutical institutions, this program leverages the wealth of collaborations with neighboring universities, hospitals, and medical centers. Students help solve real-world challenges for these employer partners while receiving mentorship from industry leaders.

For students hoping to strengthen their résumés, an experiential master’s program often provides structured opportunities to apply their skills in professional settings.

3. Develop in-demand industry skills.

Since chemical engineering is a highly specialized industry, many professionals in the field need a number of technical skills to succeed. According to job posting data, some of the most in-demand technical skills that employers want on your resumé include the following:

• Process engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Process development
• Data analysis
• New product development

While technical skills are incredibly important to employers, softer skills are also highly valuable for professionals looking to take on leadership roles in chemical engineering. According to the same data, the most in-demand soft skills that many employers require in higher-earning roles include the following:

• Communication
• Operations
• Problem solving
• Management
• Leadership

A master’s in chemical engineering can help you obtain and develop these core competencies to prepare you for any industry challenge. Keep in mind that no two programs are alike. Find a master’s program that focuses on developing these key skills to ensure you are a highly marketable applicant post-graduation.

4. Expand your professional networks.

You’ve heard it before: It’s not what you know; it’s who you know. While having in-demand skills and foundational knowledge is critical to your success, networking is another essential part of your job search. In a 2026 survey of U.S. hiring decision-makers, 92% stated that candidates should be networking to improve their chances of getting hired.

While undergraduate institutions offer resources like an alumni network, graduate program professional networking is far more beneficial to your career aspirations. For example, Northeastern University’s NUSource is a strong global network that can catalyze success. The people you connect with can offer career advice, industry insights, and sustained mentorship. When leveraged properly, your master’s program network can be a vital resource for exploring new business prospects, learning opportunities, and more.

Advancing your career in chemical engineering

Take the first step toward an exciting new career in chemical engineering by finding the right master’s program for your personal and professional needs. Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Chemical Engineering program offers students extensive networking opportunities in the Boston area, flexibility to pursue a research- or course-based degree at their desired pace, excellent co-op placements, and over 15 engineering-related graduate certificates that help develop various specializations in your area of personal interest.

Ready to take the next step in your chemical engineering career? Check out our Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, or connect with an admissions counselor today to find out if it’s the right program for you.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2023 and has since been updated for relevance and accuracy.