Process Improvement Engineer
West Fraser, Inc – Kinards, SC
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How much does a Graduate Process Engineer make in South Carolina? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graduate Process Engineer in South Carolina is $95,317 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Graduate Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:
Graduate Process Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $104,265 | $8,689 | $2,005 | $50 |
| Average | $95,317 | $7,943 | $1,833 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,949 | $7,246 | $1,672 | $42 |
A Graduate Process Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Graduate Process Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Metallurgical Engineer I | less than 1 year | $71,900 |
| Metallurgical Engineer II | 1-2 years | $84,945 |
| Graduate Process Engineer | 2-4 years | $93,453 |
| Metallurgical Engineer IV | 5-8 years | $113,477 |
| Metallurgical Engineer V | over 8 years | $131,906 |
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Graduate Process Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Graduate Process Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Graduate Process Engineer positions in MFG Nondurable or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graduate Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $119,147 | $57.0 | 25% |
| MFG Durable | $100,083 | $48.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Graduate Process Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $104,265 | $8,689 | $2,005 | $50 |
| Average | $95,317 | $7,943 | $1,833 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,949 | $7,246 | $1,672 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Graduate Process Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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