Food Preparation Workers pay in Columbia
In Columbia (SC), the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.55 an hour ($30,260 a year). About 2,030 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 6% lower than the South Carolina median ($32,180).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Columbia (SC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.97 | $22,810 |
| 25% of workers | $13.28 | $27,620 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.55 | $30,260 |
| 75% of workers | $17.27 | $35,920 |
| 90% of workers | $18.61 | $38,700 |
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 (this page) | $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 Columbia (SC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,170 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,880 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,800 |
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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.