Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in Columbia
In Columbia (SC), the median pay for fast food and counter workers is $13.06 an hour ($27,170 a year). About 11,640 people work in this job there.
That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($31,200). It is about the same as the South Carolina median ($27,520).
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Columbia (SC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.79 | $22,440 |
| 25% of workers | $11.11 | $23,100 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.06 | $27,170 |
| 75% of workers | $14.05 | $29,220 |
| 90% of workers | $16.52 | $34,360 |
Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $29,550 | 2,440 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $28,500 | 10,850 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $27,850 | 12,280 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $27,600 | 5,200 |
| Spartanburg | $27,390 | 4,870 |
| Columbia (this page) | $27,170 | 11,640 |
| Florence | $24,590 | 2,880 |
| Sumter | $24,510 | 1,060 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for fast food and counter workers
- 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: +5.8% over ten years, faster than average · about 827,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Columbia (SC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,810 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,260 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,880 |
| Dishwashers | $28,180 |
| Bartenders | $19,230 |
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.