Cooks, Fast Food pay in Columbia
In Columbia (SC), the median pay for cooks, fast food is $11.00 an hour ($22,880 a year). About 1,500 people work in this job there.
That is 26% lower than the U.S. median ($30,890). It is 17% lower than the South Carolina median ($27,420).
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Columbia (SC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.59 | $22,030 |
| 25% of workers | $10.88 | $22,630 |
| Half of workers (median) | $11.00 | $22,880 |
| 75% of workers | $13.97 | $29,070 |
| 90% of workers | $17.29 | $35,950 |
Cooks, Fast Food pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $32,380 | 1,090 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $28,290 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $28,210 | 1,970 |
| Spartanburg | $28,030 | 630 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $27,100 | 840 |
| Sumter | $23,980 | 280 |
| Florence | $23,310 | 390 |
| Columbia (this page) | $22,880 | 1,500 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Columbia (SC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,170 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,800 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.