Chemical Engineers
Machines can already do 39% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 70%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Chemical Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 39% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 70% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 21,070 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $125,040 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 62% for contact with people.
- Also called: Chemical Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments | 16% | 55% to 85% | |
| Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes | 11% | 25% to 55% | |
| Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations | 11% | 25% to 55% | |
| Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes | 9% | 55% to 85% | |
| Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management | 6% | 60% to 90% | |
| Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure | 6% | 32% to 72% | |
| Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions | 5% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills chemical engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Materials Engineers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $112,860
- Nanosystems Engineers68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $122,930
- Mechanical Engineers69% of tasks by 2035 · US median $104,110
- Food Scientists and Technologists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $88,720
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Chemical Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of chemical engineers?
Machines can do 39% of the tasks of chemical engineers today and 70% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2041.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Chemical Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/chemical-engineers/