SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Southern South Carolina
Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southern South Carolina, SC is $17,860 a year, 49.3% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southern South Carolina, SC is $17,860 a year, 49.3% under the national median of $35,230 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $16,820 and $20,590. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $15,080 and the ninetieth at $33,990.
The area has 860 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 16.4 of every thousand jobs. Greenville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $19,950. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 217th of 217 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | −57.2% |
| 25th | $16,820 | −52.3% |
| Median (50th) | $17,860 | −49.3% |
| 75th | $20,590 | −41.6% |
| 90th | $33,990 | −3.5% |
| Mean | $21,610 | −38.7% |
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 | Columbia | $17,810 | 6,580 | |
| 6 | Florence | $17,460 | 1,250 | |
| 7 | Sumter | $17,440 | 490 | |
| 8 | Myrtle Beach | $17,350 | 6,390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $17,860 goes as far as $19,061 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 45.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$17,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$19,061US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $17,860 a year, 49.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $15,080 to $33,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 860 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 Southern South Carolina, SC?
The median annual wage is $17,860, or $8.59 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 Southern South Carolina, SC is 49.3% 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 Southern South Carolina, SC earns more than $33,990 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 860 jobs in this occupation in Southern South Carolina, 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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