Bartenders Salary in South Carolina
In South Carolina, bartenders earn $18,390 at the median, or about $8.84 an hour. The range runs from $15K at the entry level to $50K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $18K get you in South Carolina?
About bartenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level bartenders (10th percentile) start around $15K. Mid-career wages sit at $18K. Top earners bring in $50K or more, a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Bartenders salary by metro in South Carolina
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $19K | +2% | 700 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $19K | +2% | 3,440 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $18K | -0% | 1,850 |
| Spartanburg | $18K | -2% | 510 |
| Columbia | $18K | -3% | 1,120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $17K | -6% | 1,720 |
| Florence | $17K | -8% | 250 |
| Sumter | $16K | -12% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track bartenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bartenders make in South Carolina?
The median is $18,390 a year, that works out to about $9 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $15,080, and experienced bartenders can clear $49,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $18K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,386/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,263/month, which eats 91.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bartenders salary go in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bartenders salary is worth about $19,738 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bartenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.