Food Preparation Worker salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Food Preparation Workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $36,220 a year ($17.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,550 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 13% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $32,180. There are 6.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,170, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| 25th percentile | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| Median | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| 75th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Average (mean) | $35,170 | $16.91 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $3,018.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,509.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,393.08 |
| Weekly | $696.54 |
| Hourly | $17.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,220 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.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $36,920 | 960 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,180 | 5,800 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,330 | 1,320 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,090 | 1,120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $30,430 | 2,780 |
| Columbia, SC | $30,260 | 2,030 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,460 | 1,130 |
| Florence, SC | $29,180 | 530 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,230 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,020 | $15.40 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $19,340 | $9.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Bartender | $19,630 | $9.44 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Dishwasher | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,230 | $10.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 worker make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $36,220 a year, or $17.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $44,550 a year. The top 25% earn $38,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,680 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,630 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 2,650 food preparation workers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.