How much does a chemical plant and system operator make in Charleston?
Median yearly pay for chemical plant and system operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $32.47 an hour or $5,628 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.47
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among cities
- 18 of 28
- Jobs in the area
- 80
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,380 | $24.70 | |
| 25th | $60,920 | $29.29 | |
| Median | $67,540 | $32.47 | |
| 75th | $77,250 | $37.14 | |
| 90th | $78,670 | $37.82 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for chemical plant and system operators.
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,810 |
| Greenville, SC | $60,430 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $79,990 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,900 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $76,710 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $74,320 |
| Coating | $62,280 |
| Machinist | $59,280 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $57,410 |
| Welder | $56,060 |
| Metal Worker and Plastic Worker | $52,180 |
| Grinding | $51,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $32.47 ($67,540 a year).
Do chemical plant and system operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $67,540 against $78,120 nationally, 14% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $68,510, so Charleston pays 1% less.
Where does Charleston rank for chemical plant and system operator pay?
18 of 28 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemical plant and system operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,380 or less a year; the top 10% make $78,670 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.