Chemical Engineering as a career option in India – Scope, Eligibility, Salary, top colleges, B.Tech, Job Prospects

Chemical Engineering is one of the many core branches of engineering. Chemical Engineering is offered in B.Tech, M.Tech, Diploma and Ph.D. courses. It deals with fundamentals of chemistry such as chemical reactions, industrial process, energy, biochemistry, inorganic and organic chemistry, molecular chemistry, etc. Many institutes in India offer Chemical Engineering courses, out of which famous colleges are: IITs, NITs, IIITs, DTU, etc.

Admission to B.Tech in Chemical Engineering is done based on entrance exams such as JEE Main, VITEEE, UPSEE, COMEDK, SRMJEEE, etc. Average salary packages after chemical engineering are between INR 3 – 6 lacs per annum. However, salary packages can vary from company to company. 

We would recommend you stick around till the end of this article to know more about Salary after Chemical engineering: industry-wise, company wise and job profile wise.

In this article, we have discussed Chemical Engineering, B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Scope and Job Prospects of Chemical Engineering, Top colleges for Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering as a career & Salary.

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the principles of chemistry and other branches of science to change raw products into useful products. It also deals with identifying and solving technical glitches using chemistry. 

It is that part of engineering which influences many areas of technology and is responsible for the conception and design of processes for the purpose of production, transformation, and transportation of materials. This activity of transformation and transportation begins with experiments and is later followed by the implementation of the technology to full-scale production. 

It has many sub-branches like nanotechnology, biochemical, bioengineering, polymers, food processing, electrochemical, process engineering, etc.

Chemical Engineering is offered at many levels such as Undergraduate level, Diploma, Post Graduate level, and Doctorate level. Popular areas of study in Chemical Engineering are Inorganic Chemical Technology, Particulate Science and Technology, Organic Chemical Technology, Fluid Mechanics, etc.

B.Tech Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering is a four-year undergraduate course. It requires a candidate to pass in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects. Generally, admission to this course is done based on entrance examination followed by counselling process such as JEE Main followed by JoSAA counselling, BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, UPSEE, COMEDK, etc.

After completing B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, candidates tend to get a job in sectors like the oil & gas industry, fertilizer industry, power, and energy industry, air conditioning industry, etc. Candidates get to work as Process Engineer, Production Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Quality Control Engineer, etc. The average salary is from INR 3 lacs to 6 lacs per annum after completing B.Tech.

What is the Eligibility for Chemical Engineering?

There are many courses in which Chemical Engineering specialization is offered. Each type, of course, has different eligibility that is as follows:

Diploma Courses: Candidates need to pass 10th class with Science, Mathematics, and English as compulsory subjects. The duration of such courses is 3 years.

Undergraduate Courses: Candidates need to pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The duration of such courses is 4 years.

Post Graduate Courses: Candidates need to pass BE (Bachelor of Engineering) or B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) in the related field from a recognized university. The duration of such courses is 2 years.

Doctoral Courses: Candidates need to pass ME (Master of Engineering) or M.Tech (Master of Technology) in Chemical Engineering from a recognized university. The duration of such courses is between 3 years to 5 years depending upon nature, i.e. full-time or part-time.

Scope of Chemical Engineering: Chemical Engineering as a career

After completing Chemical Engineering, candidates have immense scope in various fields. One can get employment opportunities in industrial plants and refineries, offices, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, etc. Along with private corporations, one can also get to work in government organizations.

 Some chemical engineers make designs and invent new processes. While there are some who construct instruments and facilities; there are others who plan and operate facilities. Chemical engineers have helped develop atomic science, polymers, paper, dyes, drugs, plastics, fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals, etc.

Scope of Chemical Engineering is as follows:

  • Oil & Petroleum Industry
  • Chemical Manufacturing industry
  • Food Industry
  • Electronics Industry
  • Rubber Industry
  • Textiles Industry
  • Fertilizers Industry
  • Paper & Pulp Industry
  • Cement Industry
  • Health-care Industry
  • Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industry
  • Scientific research in the laboratory

Job Profiles after Chemical Engineering:

  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemical Technician
  • Chemical Material Scientist
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Maintenance Engineer
  • Quality Control Engineer

Top Colleges for Chemical Engineering in India

Many universities/institutes offer Chemical Engineering courses to the students. Out of many, here is the list of top 5 colleges for chemical engineering.

College/Institute Name
Average Fees per year (INR)
2.06 lacs
2.24 lacs
1.20 lacs
4.02 lacs
2.17 lacs

 

Chemical Engineering Career Salary

Candidates get good salary packages after completing Chemical Engineering in India. If you have done the course from a reputed college, there are chances that you might get the placement for around INR 4 lacs per annum to 9 lacs per annum. 

However, the salary can differ according to the industry. As compared to the private sector, the government sector provides better salary packages to fresh graduates. 

Government companies offering jobs are Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited, GAIL Limited, HLL Lifecare Limited.

All Government Jobs – Check details here

We present you two tables which will give you a deep insight into salary packages that one gets industry-wise and job profile wise.

Industry Wise Salary Packages

Petroleum
INR 4 – 7 Lacs per annum
Chemical & Pharmaceuticals

Fertilizers

INR 3 – 6 Lacs per annum
Power & Energy
INR 3 – 6 Lacs per annum
Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Industry
INR 2 – 5 Lacs per annum

 

Job Profile Wise Salary Packages

Production Engineer
INR 4 – 5 lacs per annum
Process Engineer
INR 6 lacs per annum
Quality Control Engineer
INR 4 – 5 lacs per annum
Maintenance Engineer
INR 3 – 4 lacs per annum
Research & Development in Laboratories
INR 4 – 5 lacs per annum
Chemical Engineer
INR 3 – 4 lacs per annum
Nuclear Engineer
INR 8 – 9 lacs per annum
Biomedical Engineer
INR 2 – 4 lacs per annum

 

Top companies for Chemical Engineering offering a high salary

Many companies offer jobs after completing a course in chemical engineering in India. However, all the companies might not offer the salary that you are expecting. Not getting a good package might get you to wonder, is chemical engineering a good career? For your help, we have incorporated a list of top companies that offer a high salary to chemical engineers.

Government Sector:

Company Name Average Salary Offered (in INR)
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) 25,000 – 50,000 per month
Coal India Limited (CIL) 20,000 – 46,000 per month
Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) 25,000 – 50,000 per month
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) 20,000 – 46,000 per month
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) 25,000 – 50,000 per month

 

Private Sector:

Company Name
Average Salary Offered
Piramal Healthcare Limited
INR 5 – 6 lacs per annum
Pfizer Inc.
INR 12 – 15 lacs per annum
Schlumberger Limited
INR 15 – 20 lacs per annum
GlaxoSmithKline
INR 7 – 9 lacs per annum
Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd
INR 28,000 – 30,000 per month

 

Also, see:

Which is the best Engineering branch?

Best Government Jobs for Engineers in India?

Helpful tips for getting into an Engineering College