Chemist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Chemists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $90,070 a year ($43.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,720 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 13% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $79,670. There are 0.26 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $96,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| 25th percentile | $71,560 | $34.41 |
| Median | $90,070 | $43.30 |
| 75th percentile | $126,910 | $61.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,720 | $66.69 |
| Average (mean) | $96,740 | $46.51 |
Half of chemists 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 | $7,505.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,752.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,464.23 |
| Weekly | $1,732.12 |
| Hourly | $43.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $122,350 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $88,890 | 650 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $80,870 | 160 |
| Columbia, SC | $73,430 | 190 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $72,340 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $71,500 | $34.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $162,230 | $78.00 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| School Psychologist | $75,390 | $36.25 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for chemists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $90,070 a year, or $43.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of chemists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $138,720 a year. The top 25% earn $126,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,720 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $71,560 or less.
How many chemists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 100 chemists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.