Chemist salary in Columbia, SC
Chemists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $73,430 a year ($35.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,760 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 8% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $79,670. There are 0.48 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| 25th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Median | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| 75th percentile | $84,750 | $40.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,760 | $56.62 |
| Average (mean) | $79,220 | $38.09 |
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 | $6,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,059.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,824.23 |
| Weekly | $1,412.12 |
| Hourly | $35.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $122,350 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $90,070 | 100 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $88,890 | 650 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $80,870 | 160 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| 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 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $45,990 | $22.11 |
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 19-2031. 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for chemists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $73,430 a year, or $35.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of chemists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $117,760 a year. The top 25% earn $84,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,830 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $61,710 or less.
How many chemists work in Columbia, SC?
About 190 chemists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.