SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 7 metro areas compared
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $30,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbia, SC the median wage is $30,260. That is 14.3% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $22,810 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,700 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,620 to $35,920.
Employment stands at 2,030, or 5.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Hilton Head Island records the highest median at $36,920. Of the 511 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 482nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,810 | −35.4% |
| 25th | $27,620 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,260 | −14.3% |
| 75th | $35,920 | +1.7% |
| 90th | $38,700 | +9.6% |
| Mean | $31,450 | −11.0% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island | $36,920 | 960 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $36,220 | 2,650 | |
| 3 | Myrtle Beach | $33,330 | 1,320 | |
| 4 | Greenville | $30,430 | 2,780 | |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $29,460 | 1,130 | |
| 6 | Florence | $29,180 | 530 | |
| 7 | Sumter | $28,230 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $30,260 goes as far as $32,295 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,295US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,260 a year, 14.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,810 to $38,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,030 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hilton Head Island, at $36,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $30,260, or $14.55 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 $35,320, so pay in Columbia, SC is 14.3% 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 Columbia, SC earns more than $38,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,810 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 Hilton Head Island, at $36,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,030 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. 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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