Environmental Scientist Salary in South Carolina
Based on 490+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$74,910
$36.01/hr
vs National Average
$80,042
-6.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$46K – $133K
490 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Environmental Scientist in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,200 |
| 25th percentile | $57,030 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $74,910 |
| 75th percentile | $100,320 |
| 90th percentile | $133,470 |
Top-Paying Industries for Environmental Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Environmental Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Environmental Scientists in South Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $134,100 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,660 | 210 |
| Manufacturing | $120,930 | 1K |
| Utilities | $115,170 | 1K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $110,020 | 1K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Environmental Scientist in South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $61,000 |
| 2023 | $62,800 |
| 2024 | $65,960 |
| 2025 | $74,910 |
| 2026 (projected) | $79,405 |
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 | $61,000 | $70,215 |
| 2023 | $62,800 | $74,160 |
| 2024 | $65,960 | $77,423 |
| 2025 | $74,910 | $80,042 |
| 2026 (projected) | $79,405 | $84,845 |
Environmental Scientist Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $57,030 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $74,910 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $100,320 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $133,470 |
Environmental Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Environmental Scientist Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Environmental Scientist ($74,910 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Environmental Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in SC | $138,400 | +84.8% | $66.54/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in SC | $109,080 | +45.6% | $52.44/hr |
| Psychologist in SC | $92,700 | +23.7% | $44.57/hr |
| Geoscientist in SC | $86,070 | +14.9% | $41.38/hr |
| Chemist in SC | $79,670 | +6.4% | $38.30/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SC | $75,810 | +1.2% | $36.45/hr |
| Construction Supervisor in SC | $75,350 | +0.6% | $36.23/hr |
| Compliance Officer in SC | $75,460 | +0.7% | $36.28/hr |
| Purchasing Agent in SC | $75,550 | +0.9% | $36.32/hr |
| Tax Examiner in SC | $76,400 | +2.0% | $36.73/hr |
| Accountant in SC | $76,560 | +2.2% | $36.81/hr |
| Computer Network Support Specialist in SC | $76,790 | +2.5% | $36.92/hr |