Engineering Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Chemical Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median chemical engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$95,634
vs State Avg
+$1,063
vs National
$-10,626
Cost of Living
90%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median chemical engineer salary of $95,634, which is $1,063 above the South Carolina state average of $94,571. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Columbia spans from $61,200 at the 10th percentile to $154,800 at the 90th percentile — a $93,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $61,200
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $95,634
75th Percentile $124,200
90th Percentile $154,800

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$111,573
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$106,260
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$100,947
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$97,759
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $61,200 (10th percentile) to $154,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,634, a chemical engineer in Columbia earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median chemical engineer salary of $95,634 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $94,571. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $95,634 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.