Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in South Carolina
Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Carolina earn a median of $27,520 a year ($13.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 65,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,020 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $31,200. South Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 28 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 25th percentile | $23,320 | $11.21 |
| Median | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| 75th percentile | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Average (mean) | $27,840 | $13.38 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,293.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,146.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,058.46 |
| Weekly | $529.23 |
| Hourly | $13.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $29,550 | 2,440 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $28,880 | 27,050 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $28,500 | 10,850 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $27,850 | 12,280 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $27,600 | 5,200 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $27,390 | 4,870 |
| Columbia, SC | $27,170 | 11,640 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,620 | 8,710 |
| Florence, SC | $24,590 | 2,880 |
| Sumter, SC | $24,510 | 1,060 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,370 | $8.83 |
| Bartender | $19,370 | $9.31 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dishwasher | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,230 | $10.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in South Carolina?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in South Carolina is $27,520 a year, or $13.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in South Carolina earn at least $35,020 a year. The top 25% earn $29,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,340 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,320 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in South Carolina?
About 65,070 fast food and counter workers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.