Because the knowledge and duties of chemical engineers cut across many fields, they apply principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering in their work. The distinction between a chemist and a chemical engineer is not always clear to the general public. In fact, the role of the chemical engineer is quite different from that of the chemist. The chemist generally is concerned with the behavior of compounds and usually works with small quantities of material in a laboratory. The chemical engineer must use chemistry to design the processes and plants required to convert laboratory studies into useful, economical products.
Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another.