Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $53,070 -7% vs national
Median hourly $25.51
10th percentile $40,040
90th percentile $78,470
Employed locally 370
National median $57,090

Compare Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,040
    25th
    $47,520
    50th (median)
    $53,070
    75th
    $64,310
    90th
    $78,470

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 65% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baton Rouge, LA $98,790
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $98,410
    Wyoming $85,480
    Montgomery, AL $84,360
    Mobile, AL $82,090
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,540

    Nearby metros — Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $68,700
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $63,140
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $61,340
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,140
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $58,160
    Columbia, SC $56,580

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$48,030
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$78,730
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,840
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,000
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$50,180
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$60,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Charleston, SC is $25.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.57 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Charleston, SC is 7% below the national median of $57,090. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Charleston?

    Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $40,040 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,520.