Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Columbia, SC
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbia, SC make a median of $51,340 a year, or about $24.68 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $54,815 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,276/month — about 37.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Columbia?
About food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $65K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $54K | +26% | 160 |
| North Dakota | $52K | +22% | 30 |
| North Carolina | $52K | +21% | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $49K | +15% | 610 |
| Maine | $49K | +14% | 150 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +12% | 900 |
| Montana | $47K | +11% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +10% | 230 |
| Nevada | $47K | +10% | 210 |
| Iowa | $46K | +7% | 820 |
| Indiana | $46K | +7% | 660 |
| Missouri | $45K | +6% | 670 |
| California | $45K | +6% | 1,780 |
| Tennessee | $45K | +5% | 700 |
| Oregon | $44K | +4% | 340 |
Track food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $51,340 a year - that works out to about $24.68 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,970, and experienced food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders can clear $64,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,469/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36.8% 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 food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders salary is worth about $54,815 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders 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.