Jobs & Wages - American Chemistry Council

Innovative, creative and progressive, the chemical industry is one of the most knowledge-intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. Despite a high degree of capital intensity, the business of chemistry is one of the largest U.S. industries in terms of employment. In addition to being one of the largest employers, the chemical industry also provides wages above the manufacturing average, supporting households and local businesses in the community.

554K

Skilled, good-paying American jobs supported by the business of chemistry

Employment in the Business of Chemistry

Two Chemical Industry Technicians in Plant

Total Jobs Supported by the Business of Chemistry

Employment Impact of the Business of Chemistry

The true employment impact of the chemical industry includes not only those workers directly employed, but other jobs supported by the business activity in a given location. These other jobs include supply chain (or indirect) workers who work in jobs in other industries (such as supplier) that are supported indirectly by the industry.

For example, third-party truck drivers who transport materials to/from the plant. It also includes payroll-induced jobs supported by the household spending of workers (e.g., medical facilities, schools, restaurants and stores). Each job in chemical manufacturing supports additional jobs in other sectors of the economy.

4.1

Million jobs are supported by the business of chemistry

Wages, Benefits & Other Labor Indicators

High salaries and wages reflect the knowledge intensity of the industry’s workforce and provide excellent benefits to its employees. As a share of salaries and wages, benefits typically add a third or more to the cost of compensation.

$100K

Average annual pay of the chemical industry’s workforce

Chemical Manufacturing Employment in the States

In addition to being the top state for chemical manufacturing shipments, Texas is also the largest state for chemical industry employment, followed by Ohio, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

2nd

Largest chemical producer making the U.S. one of most important sources of chemistry in the world