Food Preparation Worker salary in Sumter, SC
Food Preparation Workers in the Sumter, SC metro area earn a median of $28,230 a year ($13.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,550 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 12% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $32,180. There are 4.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $27,450, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Sumter, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,200 | $8.75 |
| 25th percentile | $22,600 | $10.87 |
| Median | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| 75th percentile | $30,400 | $14.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| Average (mean) | $27,450 | $13.20 |
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 | $2,352.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,176.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,085.77 |
| Weekly | $542.88 |
| Hourly | $13.57 |
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 |
| Columbia, SC | $30,260 | 2,030 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,460 | 1,130 |
| Florence, SC | $29,180 | 530 |
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 Sumter, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,980 | $11.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $28,880 | $13.88 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,510 | $11.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,440 | $8.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Bartender | $18,040 | $8.67 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,350 | $11.23 |
| Dishwasher | $26,740 | $12.86 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,020 | $31.26 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Sumter, 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 Sumter, SC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Sumter, SC metro area is $28,230 a year, or $13.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Sumter, SC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Sumter, SC metro area earn at least $35,550 a year. The top 25% earn $30,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Sumter, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,200 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,600 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Sumter, SC?
About 140 food preparation workers are employed in the Sumter, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.