The invention discloses chromium-containing steel for a high-strength waste heat treatment steel bar, which comprises 0.18-0.25 percent of C, 0.10-0.80 percent of Si, 0.10-1.55 percent of Mn, 0.30-0.70 percent of Cr and the balance of Fe and impurity elements according to percent by weight. A steel structure comprises an outer layer, a transition layer and a core layer, wherein the outer layer is a tempered structure, the core layer is a mixed structure of ferrite and pearlite, and the transition layer is positioned between the outer layer and the core layer and is various mixed structure. By the chromium-containing steel, the waste heat treatment steel bar can be effectively prevented from generating serious corrosion during storage and transportation, balance application of alloy resources is facilitated, ordinary process is used, a production line is not required to be built again, and the chromium-containing steel is simple to use and saves cost.