Chemist salary in South Carolina
Chemists in South Carolina earn a median of $79,670 a year ($38.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,570 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $91,240. South Carolina ranks 41st of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.34 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $90,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,420 | $26.16 |
| 25th percentile | $64,860 | $31.18 |
| Median | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| 75th percentile | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,570 | $67.10 |
| Average (mean) | $90,130 | $43.33 |
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 | $6,639.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,319.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,064.23 |
| Weekly | $1,532.12 |
| Hourly | $38.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Physicist | $138,400 | $66.54 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Materials Scientist | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| School Psychologist | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Biological Technician | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,810 | $36.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for chemists in South Carolina is $79,670 a year, or $38.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of chemists in South Carolina earn at least $139,570 a year. The top 25% earn $105,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,420 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $64,860 or less.
How many chemists work in South Carolina?
About 770 chemists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.