Food Preparation Workers Salary in South Carolina
Food Preparation Workers in South Carolina make a median of $30,050 a year, or about $14.45 an hour. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $39K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $30K get you in South Carolina?
About food preparation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Carolina
Entry-level food preparation workers (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $30K.Top earners bring in $39K or more - a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Food Preparation Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39K | +14% | 21,090 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +12% | 3,320 |
| California | $38K | +11% | 98,950 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +10% | 14,890 |
| Hawaii | $37K | +9% | 4,780 |
| Vermont | $37K | +8% | 1,260 |
| Alaska | $37K | +7% | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $36K | +6% | 13,890 |
| New York | $36K | +5% | 51,880 |
| Maine | $36K | +4% | 5,540 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +4% | 700 |
| Arizona | $35K | +4% | 15,500 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +4% | 2,250 |
| Connecticut | $35K | +4% | 11,450 |
| Florida | $35K | +3% | 67,030 |
Track food preparation workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Carolina numbers change.
Related careers in Food Service
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in South Carolina?
The median is $30,050 a year - that works out to about $14.45 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $21,960, and experienced food preparation workers can clear $38,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $30K enough to live in South Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,152/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,339/month (median of metro areas), which eats 62.2% 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 preparation workers 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 food preparation workers salary is worth about $30,050 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food preparation workers 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.