Chemical Engineer salary in South Carolina
Chemical Engineers in South Carolina earn a median of $101,570 a year ($48.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,300 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $125,040. South Carolina ranks 37th of 41 states for chemical engineers pay. There are 0.17 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,140 | $37.09 |
| 25th percentile | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Median | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| 75th percentile | $127,900 | $61.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,300 | $70.34 |
| Average (mean) | $106,920 | $51.40 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,464.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,232.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,906.54 |
| Weekly | $1,953.27 |
| Hourly | $48.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $129,070 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $115,890 | 110 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $86,820 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $113,720 | $54.67 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,110 | $60.15 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,610 | $58.47 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $99,130 | $47.66 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $136,990 | $65.86 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in South Carolina?
The median salary for chemical engineers in South Carolina is $101,570 a year, or $48.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in South Carolina earn at least $146,300 a year. The top 25% earn $127,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,140 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $79,160 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in South Carolina?
About 390 chemical engineers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.