How much does a chemist make in Columbia?
$73,430a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $35.30 an hour or $6,119 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.30
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 184 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $57,830Median: $73,430Highest 10%: $117,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,830 | $27.80 | |
| 25th | $61,710 | $29.67 | |
| Median | $73,430 | $35.30 | |
| 75th | $84,750 | $40.75 | |
| 90th | $117,800 | $56.62 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| Spartanburg, SC | $122,400 |
| Charleston, SC | $90,070 |
| Charlotte, NC | $88,890 |
| Greenville, SC | $80,870 |
| Augusta, GA | $72,340 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $99,960 |
| Forester | $89,990 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $85,300 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $83,780 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $79,580 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $79,160 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $71,910 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35.30 ($73,430 a year).
Do chemists make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $73,430 against $91,240 nationally, 20% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $79,670, so Columbia pays 8% less.
Where does Columbia rank for chemist pay?
184 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,830 or less a year; the top 10% make $117,800 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.