Food Preparation Workers pay in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the median pay for food preparation workers is $15.47 an hour ($32,180 a year). About 14,460 people work in this job there.
That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). South Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in South Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.05 | $22,990 |
| 25% of workers | $13.39 | $27,860 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.47 | $32,180 |
| 75% of workers | $17.77 | $36,970 |
| 90% of workers | $19.41 | $40,370 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $36,920 | 960 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $36,220 | 2,650 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $33,330 | 1,320 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $30,430 | 2,780 |
| Columbia | $30,260 | 2,030 |
| Spartanburg | $29,460 | 1,130 |
| Florence | $29,180 | 530 |
| Sumter | $28,230 | 140 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,520 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,740 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,420 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,960 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,740 |
| Bakers | $35,460 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $71,860 |
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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.