Food Preparation Worker salary in Columbia, SC
Food Preparation Workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $30,260 a year ($14.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,700 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $32,180. There are 5.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,810 | $10.97 |
| 25th percentile | $27,620 | $13.28 |
| Median | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| 75th percentile | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Average (mean) | $31,450 | $15.12 |
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 | $2,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,260.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,163.85 |
| Weekly | $581.92 |
| Hourly | $14.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $30,430 | 2,780 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,170 | $13.06 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,810 | $8.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Dishwasher | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Bartender | $19,230 | $9.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $20,920 | $10.06 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $30,260 a year, or $14.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $38,700 a year. The top 25% earn $35,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,810 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,620 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Columbia, SC?
About 2,030 food preparation workers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.