Chemical Engineer Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chemical Engineers in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$101,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $125,040
State Rank
#37 of 41
390 employed here

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in South Carolina?

A Chemical Engineer working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $101,570 per year, or about $48.83 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $125,040 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $77,140 while the top 10% make $146,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,160 and $127,900 a year.

Chemical Engineer salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$77,140$37.09
25th percentile (early career)$79,160$38.06
50th percentile (median)$101,570$48.83
75th percentile (experienced)$127,900$61.49
90th percentile (top earners)$146,300$70.34

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 37th out of 41 states and territories for Chemical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$158,190
2Virginia$136,380
3Alabama$135,030
4Louisiana$134,800
5Delaware$133,670

Working as a Chemical Engineer in South Carolina

Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Chemical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($101,570) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in South Carolina?
The median Chemical Engineer salary in South Carolina is $101,570 per year, or about $48.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,140 at the entry level to $146,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Chemical Engineers about 19% less than the national median of $125,040. South Carolina ranks 37th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Chemical Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $101,570 a year. About 390 Chemical Engineers are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chemical Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.