Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in South Carolina
Chemical Plant and System Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $68,510 a year ($32.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,120 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $78,120. South Carolina ranks 19th of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.27 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,640, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| 25th percentile | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Median | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| 75th percentile | $74,370 | $35.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,120 | $36.11 |
| Average (mean) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators 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 | $5,709.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,854.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,635 |
| Weekly | $1,317.50 |
| Hourly | $32.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,510 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 Plant and System Operators salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,810 | 100 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $67,540 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $60,430 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,090 | $25.05 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $91,570 | $44.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. 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 plant and system operators make in South Carolina?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in South Carolina is $68,510 a year, or $32.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in South Carolina earn at least $75,120 a year. The top 25% earn $74,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,080 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $59,950 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in South Carolina?
About 610 chemical plant and system operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.