Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC make a median of $64,560 a year, or about $31.04 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $63,946 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 42.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $65K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About chemical plant and system operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level chemical plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $26K spread from bottom to top.
Chemical Plant and System Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $113K | +54% | 410 |
| Wyoming | $104K | +42% | 320 |
| Texas | $99K | +35% | 2,980 |
| Kentucky | $99K | +34% | 70 |
| Louisiana | $97K | +31% | 3,360 |
| Maryland | $93K | +26% | 320 |
| New Jersey | $89K | +20% | 320 |
| California | $88K | +20% | 590 |
| Alabama | $84K | +15% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | +3% | 750 |
| Florida | $69K | -7% | 230 |
| West Virginia | $68K | -8% | 230 |
| Michigan | $67K | -9% | 90 |
| Illinois | $67K | -9% | 290 |
| Tennessee | $66K | -10% | 260 |
| Ohio | $66K | -11% | 460 |
| Massachusetts | $66K | -11% | 250 |
| Montana | $65K | -11% | 120 |
| Minnesota | $64K | -12% | 110 |
| Georgia | $63K | -15% | 200 |
| Connecticut | $63K | -15% | 30 |
| Virginia | $62K | -16% | N/A |
| South Carolina | $61K | -17% | 480 |
| New York | $61K | -17% | 120 |
| Iowa | $60K | -18% | N/A |
| Washington | $58K | -21% | 220 |
| Idaho | $57K | -22% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -23% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $57K | -23% | 1,130 |
| Mississippi | $56K | -24% | 300 |
| Utah | $53K | -27% | 330 |
| Indiana | $51K | -30% | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | -31% | 110 |
| Missouri | $51K | -31% | 370 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -37% | 160 |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track chemical plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chemical plant and system operators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $64,560 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,830, and experienced chemical plant and system operators can clear $73,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,275/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 41.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a chemical plant and system operators salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chemical plant and system operators salary is worth about $63,946 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemical plant and system operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.