Salary distribution
Where South Carolina chemists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,080 and $100,720, with a median of $77,900.
Chemists in South Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 10 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $96,884. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $65,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $94,200 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 5 | $114,570 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chemists in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | Postdoctoral Fellow/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry | 2 | $67,882 |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | Scientist III, Analytical Research and Development | 1 | $86,133 |
| Oakwood Products, Inc. | Chemist | 1 | $110,000 |
| Ingevity Corporation | R&D Supervisory | 1 | $114,570 |
| Milliken and Company | Advanced R&D Professional 1, Textile Division | 1 | $107,635 |
| 3D Systems, Inc. | Manager, Polymer Formulation R&D | 1 | $130,000 |
| Pentangle Tech Services LLC | Sr Scientist | 1 | $135,200 |
| AmbioPharm, Inc. | Quality Control Validation Scientist | 1 | $69,992 |
| Clemson University | Postdoctoral Fellow | 1 | $65,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Scientist III, Analytical Research and Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.$86,133FlorenceWage Level IVDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-222937
- Postdoctoral Fellow/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of South Carolina$55,000ColumbiaWage Level IDecided Jul 23, 2025I-200-25197-180029
- Chemist at Oakwood Products, Inc.$110,000EstillWage Level IVDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25170-112808
- R&D Supervisory at Ingevity Corporation$114,570North CharlestonWage Level IVDecided May 20, 2025I-200-25133-969921
- Advanced R&D Professional 1, Textile Division at Milliken and Company$107,635SpartanburgWage Level IIIDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-944208
- Manager, Polymer Formulation R&D at 3D Systems, Inc.$130,000Rock HillWage Level IVDecided Apr 15, 2025I-200-25098-843411
- Sr Scientist at Pentangle Tech Services LLC$135,200FlorenceWage Level IVDecided Apr 11, 2025I-200-25094-834443
- Research Assistant Professor/Dept. of Chemical Engineering at University of South Carolina$80,764ColumbiaWage Level IIIDecided Mar 4, 2025I-200-25056-722387
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Chemists pay by experience level in South Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Chemists in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 10 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $108,818.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Oakwood Products, Inc. | 4 | $108,818 |
| Professional services | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | 3 | $114,570 |
| Education | University of South Carolina | 3 | $65,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- 02
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- 03
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- 04
Conduct quality control tests.
- 05
Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- 06
Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
- 07
Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
- 08
Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chemists in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chemists in South Carolina is $77,900.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Chemists?
- The South Carolina median is -11.6% versus the BLS national figure of $88,164.
- What is the salary range for Chemists in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $51,740 and the 90th-percentile at $133,430, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Chemists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Chemists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.