SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 7 metro areas compared
At $17,810, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 49.4% beneath the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $17,810, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Waiters and Waitresses, 49.4% beneath the national figure of $35,230. Pay ranges from under $15,080 at the tenth percentile to more than $43,540 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $16,390 to $22,050.
Employment stands at 6,580, or 16.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Greenville records the highest median at $19,950. Of the 511 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 511th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | −57.2% |
| 25th | $16,390 | −53.5% |
| Median (50th) | $17,810 | −49.4% |
| 75th | $22,050 | −37.4% |
| 90th | $43,540 | +23.6% |
| Mean | $23,610 | −33.0% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $19,950 | 9,090 | |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island | $19,830 | 3,390 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $19,340 | 9,580 | |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $18,370 | 2,140 | |
| 5 | Florence | $17,460 | 1,250 | |
| 6 | Sumter | $17,440 | 490 | |
| 7 | Myrtle Beach | $17,350 | 6,390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $17,810 goes as far as $19,007 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 46.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$17,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$19,007US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $17,810 a year, 49.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,080 to $43,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,580 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Greenville, at $19,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $17,810, or $8.56 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 $35,230, so pay in Columbia, SC is 49.4% 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 $43,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $15,080 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 Greenville, at $19,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,580 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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