Chemical Engineer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Chemical Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $129,070 a year ($62.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 27% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $101,570. There are 0.12 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $124,420, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| 25th percentile | $93,340 | $44.88 |
| Median | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| 75th percentile | $145,460 | $69.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,360 | $83.34 |
| Average (mean) | $124,420 | $59.82 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,755.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,377.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,964.23 |
| Weekly | $2,482.12 |
| Hourly | $62.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $129,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $115,890 | 110 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $86,820 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $110,830 | $53.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $129,070 a year, or $62.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $173,360 a year. The top 25% earn $145,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,130 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $93,340 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 50 chemical engineers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.