Salary guide, May 2025
Chemical Operator pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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The median annual wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC was $67,540 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $60,920 and $77,250.
The Charleston-North Charleston, SC median is $10,580 below the national median of $78,120, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators
Chemical Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about charleston-North Charleston, SC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51,380 | $60,920 | $67,540 | $77,250 | $78,670 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.70 | $29.29 | $32.47 | $37.14 | $37.82 |
BLS estimated 80 workers employed in this occupation in Charleston-North Charleston, SC. Location quotient: 1.88.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,400 | $60,330 | $78,120 | $98,660 | $111,930 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23.27 | $29.01 | $37.56 | $47.44 | $53.81 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Chemical Operator median is $67,540. The all-occupations median in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $49,150. Ratio: 1.37 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.88 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $58,040 | $64,560 | $71,230 |
| May 2025 | $60,920 | $67,540 | $77,250 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators, Charleston-North Charleston, SC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8091 Chemical Plant and System Operators, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,810 | $59,320 to $68,810 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $60,430 | $49,620 to $65,850 |
All roles in Charleston-North Charleston, SC · National page · Chemical Operator ranked across metros