How much does a bartender make in Charleston?
$19,630a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $9.44 an hour or $1,636 a month.
- Hourly
- $9.44
- Vs. national median
- -43%
- Rank among cities
- 381 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 3,110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $19,630Highest 10%: $61,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $17,580 | $8.45 | |
| Median | $19,630 | $9.44 | |
| 75th | $31,270 | $15.03 | |
| 90th | $61,790 | $29.71 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for bartenders.
| Charlotte, NC | $37,390 |
| Florence, SC | $22,990 |
| Augusta, GA | $21,100 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $20,090 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $20,030 |
| Greenville, SC | $19,600 |
| Columbia, SC | $19,230 |
| Sumter, SC | $18,040 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,420 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,620 |
| Cook | $36,990 |
| Cook | $36,710 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,220 |
| Food Server | $33,970 |
| Cook | $32,380 |
| Cook | $32,020 |
| Dishwasher | $31,800 |
| Host and Hostess | $29,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $9.44 ($19,630 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $19,630 against $34,340 nationally, 43% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $19,370, so Charleston pays 1% more.
Where does Charleston rank for bartender pay?
381 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $61,790 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.