Chemical Engineering Career Options: Courses Eligibility, Admission Process, Job Opportunities and Scope

Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with developing and designing chemical plants and studying manufacturing processes. Apart from the chemical industry, they are also involved in fuel, drugs, and food amidst other things. Chemical Engineers tend to combine their knowledge of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Biology in order to work with energy and materials. Process Engineers also come under the category of Chemical Engineers since they work to transform raw materials and energy into products that are efficient and beneficial to society. Chemical Engineering is a vast field and therefore there are innumerable job opportunities available right after the completion of BTech from a recognized University. Chemical Engineers are required in fields like pharmaceuticals, power generation, oil and energy, healthcare, food production, fibers, and polymers—the scope is endless. As a result, qualified Chemical Engineers are highly in demand. In order to become a Chemical Engineer, one must complete BTech in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. 
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BTech Chemical Engineering: BTech in Chemical Engineering can be pursued by those who have taken Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Biology in the 12th grade. There are different entrance exams conducted by different universities for the admission process.

MTech/MS Chemical Engineering: One can pursue a Master’s degree in a specific field of Chemical Engineering after having completed his bachelor’s program. There are different entrance exams for the same. 

Ph.D. Chemical Engineering: A doctorate in Chemical Engineering can be pursued after the completion of Masters. Chemical Engineering isn’t the most sought-after degree when looking at the numbers. Students generally tend to lean towards IT, Electronics, and Mechanical branches. This is a huge reason why Chemical Engineers have become so high in demand. India is home to over 3000 Engineering colleges out of which around 500 offer Chemical Engineering courses. Here’s a list of the highest-ranking universities:

After completing BTech in Technology students can choose to specialize in any of the following popular areas:

• Chemical Engineering and Thermodynamics
• Inorganic Chemical Technology
• Organic Chemical Technology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmaceutical Engineering

Job Opportunities after Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering opens up career opportunities in multiple fields. Here’s a list of popular career choices:

1. Chemical Plant Operator: Chemical Plant Operators work to ensure the quality of equipment. They tend to have strong analytical skills, but they are also in charge of the organization and administration of the chemical plant. This is an entry-level job in the core field—the average salary for a CPO is between 2,00,000-5,00,000. After some experience, CPOs can become Designers and Managers of the Chemical Plant.
2. Food Scientist: Food Scientists study the chemistry and biology of foods, and do nutritional checks. Moreover, they discover new ways to make eating habits healthier and safer. This job is just as exciting as it sounds, they earn an average of 7,50,000 PA.
3. Biotechnologist: Biotechnology is of utmost importance in the pharmaceutical field. People from the medical fieldwork along with chemical engineers to develop new drugs, vaccines, and even the production of artificial organs. They earn an average of 5,00,000 PA.
4. Materials Engineer: Materials Engineers study-specific materials like metals, ceramics, or plastics, they study materials—their chemical composition on a molecular level. They earn 6,50,000 PA on average.
5. Environmental Engineer: Chemical Engineers can also specialize in environmental science and pursue Environmental Engineering. They work on recycling, public health, and sustainability. They earn an average of 6,00,000 PA.
6. Production Engineer: Production Engineering is a subset of Chemical Engineering, they work to design, develop and manage high-quality products. They can earn an average of 6,00,000 PA.
7. Petroleum Engineer: Petroleum Engineers fulfill the country’s need for oil by designing and developing methods for the extraction of oil present underground. Petroleum Engineering is a career that is rising in demand. On average, a Petroleum Engineer can earn 8,00,000 PA.
8. Academics: Academia is always an option open to highly educated professionals in any degree. Similarly, people with a strong grasp of their basics can choose to become lecturers and professors in universities. A Ph.D. professor can earn 10,00,00 PA on average.

Chemical Engineering is a field that has a lot of scope for the future generation, as the degree can be molded into many different career paths. Reliance, Essar Oil, Arofine Polymers, Gujarat Gas Company, and L&T are among some of the big names that actively recruit Chemical Engineers every year. Also Read: 1. Best Private Engineering Colleges in India 2. Best Government Engineering Colleges in India 3. Top Engineering Colleges Good in Phd Enrollment 4. Top Engineering Colleges Good for Employability 5. Top Engineering Entrance Exam 6. Top Universities in India for Engineering 7. Top 10 Engineering Colleges in India 8. School of Engineering Technology 9. Key Facts to Select the Good Engineering Colleges 10.Chemical Engineering Career Options