Chemical Engineer Salary in South Carolina
Based on 390+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$101,570
$48.83/hr
vs National Average
$115,633
-12.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$77K – $146K
390 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Chemical Engineer in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,140 |
| 25th percentile | $79,160 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $101,570 |
| 75th percentile | $127,900 |
| 90th percentile | $146,300 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemical Engineers in South Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $137,180 | 1K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $135,720 | 1K |
| Construction | $131,190 | 400 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $130,810 | 650 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $125,990 | 90 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemical Engineer in South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $93,660 |
| 2023 | $103,840 |
| 2024 | $104,660 |
| 2025 | $101,570 |
| 2026 (projected) | $101,570 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $93,660 | $104,335 |
| 2023 | $103,840 | $110,377 |
| 2024 | $104,660 | $114,171 |
| 2025 | $101,570 | $115,633 |
| 2026 (projected) | $101,570 | $115,633 |
Chemical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,160 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $101,570 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $127,900 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $146,300 |
Chemical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Chemical Engineer Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Chemical Engineer ($101,570 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in SC | $169,040 | +66.4% | $81.27/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in SC | $137,030 | +34.9% | $65.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in SC | $136,990 | +34.9% | $65.86/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in SC | $126,570 | +24.6% | $60.85/hr |
| Materials Engineer in SC | $121,610 | +19.7% | $58.47/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in SC | $104,580 | +3.0% | $50.28/hr |
| Civil Engineer in SC | $101,600 | +0.0% | $48.85/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in SC | $101,060 | -0.5% | $48.59/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in SC | $99,130 | -2.4% | $47.66/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in SC | $98,440 | -3.1% | $47.33/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in SC | $96,140 | -5.3% | $46.22/hr |
| Physical Therapist in SC | $101,330 | -0.2% | $48.72/hr |