SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — South Carolina
South Carolina · 8 metro areas compared
In South Carolina the median wage is $26,830.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Carolina the median wage is $26,830. That is 21.0% lower than the national median of $33,980. Pay ranges from under $17,100 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,780 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $19,110 to $33,240.
The area has 6,220 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.77 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. South Carolina ranks number 43rd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $31,050. Of the 713 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 705th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,100 | −49.7% |
| 25th | $19,110 | −43.8% |
| Median (50th) | $26,830 | −21.0% |
| 75th | $33,240 | −2.2% |
| 90th | $36,780 | +8.2% |
| Mean | $27,260 | −19.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $31,050 | 860 | |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island | $29,590 | 490 | |
| 3 | Florence | $29,090 | 250 | |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $28,800 | 320 | |
| 5 | Greenville | $26,830 | 880 | |
| 6 | Charleston | $26,410 | 1,290 | |
| 7 | Myrtle Beach | $24,630 | 1,130 | |
| 8 | Sumter | $22,260 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $26,830 goes as far as $28,634 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,634US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,830 a year, 21.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,100 to $36,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,220 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 43rd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $31,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $26,830, or $12.90 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $33,980, so pay in South Carolina is 21.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Carolina earns more than $36,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,100 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Columbia, at $31,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,220 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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