Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $63,690 -13.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.62
10th percentile $49,990
90th percentile $68,760
Employed locally 30
National median $73,540

Compare Chemical Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,990
    25th
    $59,200
    50th (median)
    $63,690
    75th
    $66,710
    90th
    $68,760

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 96% Median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary is 4% 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
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $64,560
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $60,430
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $53,380
    Wisconsin $51,000

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,710
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,920
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $38,280
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $36,130
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Columbia, SC is $30.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.06 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Columbia, SC is 13.4% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,990 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,200.