Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in Columbia, SC
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $20,920 a year ($10.06 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $17,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,000 for the top 10%. That is 42% lower than the national median of $35,840. Pay here is 6% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $22,230. The average (mean) salary is $23,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation and serving related workers, all other in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,870 | $8.59 |
| 25th percentile | $20,780 | $9.99 |
| Median | $20,920 | $10.06 |
| 75th percentile | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $30,000 | $14.43 |
| Average (mean) | $23,390 | $11.24 |
Half of food preparation and serving related workers, all other 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 | $1,743.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $871.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $804.62 |
| Weekly | $402.31 |
| Hourly | $10.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $31,440 | 1,500 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,230 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $22,230 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $21,370 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation and serving related workers, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $46,170 |
| Hawaii | $43,540 |
| Oregon | $39,080 |
| Illinois | $38,880 |
| District of Columbia | $38,580 |
| New Hampshire | $38,210 |
| Indiana | $38,160 |
| Arizona | $37,600 |
| Maryland | $37,500 |
| Utah | $37,180 |
See Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,170 | $13.06 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,810 | $8.56 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Bartender | $19,230 | $9.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,540 | $13.24 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-9099. 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 food preparation and serving related workers, all other make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for food preparation and serving related workers, all other in the Columbia, SC metro area is $20,920 a year, or $10.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation and serving related workers, all other make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of food preparation and serving related workers, all other in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $30,000 a year. The top 25% earn $25,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation and serving related workers, all other in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,870 a year, and a quarter of food preparation and serving related workers, all other earn $20,780 or less.