Chemist Salary in South Carolina
Based on 770+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$79,670
$38.30/hr
vs National Average
$92,010
-13.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$54K – $140K
770 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Chemist in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,420 |
| 25th percentile | $64,860 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $79,670 |
| 75th percentile | $105,820 |
| 90th percentile | $139,570 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemists in South Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $123,380 | 610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $112,840 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $109,990 | 190 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $107,330 | 10K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $96,840 | 160 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemist in South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $59,270 |
| 2023 | $76,280 |
| 2024 | $77,900 |
| 2025 | $79,670 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,480 |
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 | $59,270 | $79,362 |
| 2023 | $76,280 | $83,812 |
| 2024 | $77,900 | $86,969 |
| 2025 | $79,670 | $92,010 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,480 | $94,101 |
Chemist Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $64,860 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $79,670 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $105,820 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $139,570 |
Chemist Salary in Other States
Related Chemist Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Chemist ($79,670 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in SC | $138,400 | +73.7% | $66.54/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in SC | $109,080 | +36.9% | $52.44/hr |
| Psychologist in SC | $92,700 | +16.4% | $44.57/hr |
| Geoscientist in SC | $86,070 | +8.0% | $41.38/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SC | $75,810 | -4.8% | $36.45/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in SC | $74,910 | -6.0% | $36.01/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in SC | $80,240 | +0.7% | $38.58/hr |
| Logistician in SC | $80,330 | +0.8% | $38.62/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in SC | $80,930 | +1.6% | $38.91/hr |
| Web Developer in SC | $78,190 | -1.9% | $37.59/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in SC | $77,740 | -2.4% | $37.38/hr |
| Credit Analyst in SC | $77,530 | -2.7% | $37.27/hr |