Chemists Salary in Charleston, SC

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

Median annual salary $84,070 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $40.42
10th percentile $52,630
90th percentile $134,430
Employed locally 120
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,630
    25th
    $59,770
    50th (median)
    $84,070
    75th
    $95,230
    90th
    $134,430

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 102% Median Chemists salary is 2% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $145,430
    Albuquerque, NM $137,740
    New Mexico $134,370
    Maryland $131,910
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $130,830

    Nearby metros — Chemists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,190
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $103,340
    Spartanburg, SC $98,990
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $79,950
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $79,650
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $78,260

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $87,240
    Chemical Technicians $60,790
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $55,200
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $105,160
    School Psychologists $83,210
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $79,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Charleston, SC is $40.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.69 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Charleston, SC is 0.1% below the national median of $84,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemists in Charleston?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $52,630 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,770.