Chemical Engineers in South Carolina
Considering working as a Chemical Engineers in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
What do Chemical Engineers Make in South Carolina?
The chemical engineers working in South Carolina, the median annual wage is $104,660 per year (or roughly $50.32/hour).Annual wages span from $80,120 at the 10th percentile to $142,370 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| 25th percentile | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Median (50th) | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| 75th percentile | $133,180 | $64.03 |
| 90th percentile | $142,370 | $68.45 |
The job concentration index in South Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.97.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, chemical engineers earn a median of $130,903 per year ($62.93/hour), lower than the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 213,738 chemical engineers in the U.S.. In South Carolina alone, approximately 290 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 340 chemical engineers.
Top South Carolina Metros for Chemical Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most chemical engineers in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 90 | $105,870 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 50 | $101,400 |
Top States for Chemical Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of chemical engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,780 |
| California | 1,260 |
| Massachusetts | 1,140 |
| Ohio | 1,100 |
| Virginia | 1,020 |
| Pennsylvania | 970 |
| Colorado | 850 |
| Michigan | 780 |
| Louisiana | 780 |
| Washington | 600 |
| Maryland | 560 |
| New York | 560 |
| Alabama | 540 |
| Illinois | 490 |
| New Jersey | 480 |
| North Carolina | 450 |
| Tennessee | 450 |
| Missouri | 450 |
| Delaware | 390 |
| Connecticut | 380 |
Highest-Paying States for Chemical Engineers
These states pay the most for chemical engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $160,990 |
| New Mexico | $147,290 |
| West Virginia | $139,730 |
| Texas | $135,160 |
| Virginia | $132,550 |
| New York | $132,480 |
| Colorado | $131,740 |
| Delaware | $131,330 |
| Louisiana | $131,180 |
| Washington | $130,830 |
Skills
Key chemical engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for chemical engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Chemical Engineers typically:
- Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
- Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
- Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
- Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
- Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
- Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
- Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
- Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
- Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
- Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Processing Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Chemical Engineering
- Polymer & Plastics Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
- Ceramic Engineering
- Paper Science & Engineering
- Engineering Chemistry
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to chemical engineers include:
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Industrial Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
Also Known As
Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Blending Coordinator, Chemical Design Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Chemical Research Engineer, Chemical Test Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, Controls Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Scientist, Explosives Engineer, Fuel Engineer, Gas Combustion Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2041.00