Food Preparation Worker salary in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
Food Preparation Workers in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn a median of $30,430 a year ($14.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,090 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $32,180. There are 6.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,990 | $11.05 |
| 25th percentile | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Median | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| 75th percentile | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Average (mean) | $31,680 | $15.23 |
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 | $2,535.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,267.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,170.38 |
| Weekly | $585.19 |
| Hourly | $14.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,430 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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,220 | 2,650 |
| 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 |
| 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 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,690 | $14.76 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $19,950 | $9.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Bartender | $19,600 | $9.42 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,260 | $12.63 |
| Dishwasher | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,670 | $15.22 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,680 | $33.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $21,370 | $10.27 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, 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 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area is $30,430 a year, or $14.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn at least $39,090 a year. The top 25% earn $36,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,990 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,810 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
About 2,780 food preparation workers are employed in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.