South Carolina Median
$68,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#19 of 35
610 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in South Carolina?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $68,510 per year, or about $32.94 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $49,080 while the top 10% make $75,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,950 and $74,370 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,950 | $28.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,510 | $32.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,370 | $35.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,120 | $36.12 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 19th out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710New Mexico $72,610Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Illinois $65,710Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in South Carolina
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($68,510) 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 do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in South Carolina?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in South Carolina is $68,510 per year, or about $32.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,080 at the entry level to $75,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 12% less than the national median of $78,120. South Carolina ranks 19th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,510 a year. About 610 Chemical Plant and System Operators 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 Plant and System Operators salary report
Related salaries
$62,620
median pay · specialist role
$52,540
median pay · 22,000 employed
$52,800
median pay · 12,000 employed
$49,630
median pay · specialist role
$48,220
median pay · 13,000 employed
$96,710
median pay · 33,000 employed
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.