Chemists Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $65,450 -22.2% vs national
Median hourly $31.47
10th percentile $50,390
90th percentile $105,400
Employed locally 170
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,390
    25th
    $56,020
    50th (median)
    $65,450
    75th
    $84,830
    90th
    $105,400

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 99% Median Chemists salary is 1% below 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
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $84,070
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $79,950
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $79,650

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $53,960
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $77,890
    Chemical Technicians $61,320
    School Psychologists $77,080
    Social Science Research Assistants $69,110
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $77,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Columbia, SC is $31.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.62 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Columbia, SC is 22.2% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $50,390 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,020.