Waiters and Waitresses salary in Sumter, SC
Waiters and Waitresses in the Sumter, SC metro area earn a median of $17,440 a year ($8.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,030 for the top 10%. That is 50% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $18,370. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $25,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Sumter, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,080 | $7.25 |
| 25th percentile | $16,540 | $7.95 |
| Median | $17,440 | $8.39 |
| 75th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Average (mean) | $25,780 | $12.40 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $1,453.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $726.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $670.77 |
| Weekly | $335.38 |
| Hourly | $8.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,430 | 19,990 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $19,950 | 9,090 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $19,830 | 3,390 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $19,340 | 9,580 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $18,390 | 3,820 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $18,370 | 2,140 |
| Columbia, SC | $17,810 | 6,580 |
| Florence, SC | $17,460 | 1,250 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,350 | 6,390 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sumter, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,510 | $11.78 |
| Bartender | $18,040 | $8.67 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,980 | $11.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $28,880 | $13.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Sumter, SC?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Sumter, SC metro area is $17,440 a year, or $8.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Sumter, SC?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Sumter, SC metro area earn at least $51,030 a year. The top 25% earn $29,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Sumter, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,080 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $16,540 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Sumter, SC?
About 490 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Sumter, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.