Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Charleston, SC

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

Median annual salary $64,560 -12.2% vs national
Median hourly $31.04
10th percentile $47,830
90th percentile $73,700
Employed locally 60
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,830
    25th
    $58,040
    50th (median)
    $64,560
    75th
    $71,230
    90th
    $73,700

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 78% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 22% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $117,430
    North Dakota $112,970
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Wyoming $104,420
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150

    Nearby metros — Chemical Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Spartanburg, SC $66,640
    Columbia, SC $63,690
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $60,430
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $53,380
    Wisconsin $51,000

    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 Plant and System Operators make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Charleston, SC is $31.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.82 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Chemical Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Charleston, SC is 12.2% below the national median of $73,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Charleston?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,830 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,040.