Chemical Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Chemical Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $64,740 a year ($31.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,450 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $60,390. Pay here is 14% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $75,020. There are 0.64 chemical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Median | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| 75th percentile | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,450 | $41.56 |
| Average (mean) | $66,370 | $31.91 |
Half of chemical technicians 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 | $5,395 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,697.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,490 |
| Weekly | $1,245 |
| Hourly | $31.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $77,220 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,050 | 330 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,730 | 480 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $61,380 | 290 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,140 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for chemical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 |
| Alaska | $79,380 |
| Delaware | $78,620 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 |
| Missouri | $68,550 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 |
| Arizona | $65,860 |
| Vermont | $65,560 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 |
| Colorado | $63,770 |
See Chemical Technician pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,900 | $24.47 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4031. 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 technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for chemical technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $64,740 a year, or $31.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of chemical technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $86,450 a year. The top 25% earn $75,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,210 a year, and a quarter of chemical technicians earn $53,830 or less.
How many chemical technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 250 chemical technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.