How much does a bartender make in Columbia?
$19,230a year
Median yearly pay for bartenders in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $9.25 an hour or $1,603 a month.
- Hourly
- $9.25
- Vs. national median
- -44%
- Rank among cities
- 383 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,120Median: $19,230Highest 10%: $72,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,120 | $7.27 | |
| 25th | $17,420 | $8.38 | |
| Median | $19,230 | $9.25 | |
| 75th | $35,050 | $16.85 | |
| 90th | $72,800 | $35.00 |
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 |
| Charleston, SC | $19,630 |
| Greenville, SC | $19,600 |
| Sumter, SC | $18,040 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,420 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $69,820 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,880 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Cook | $34,800 |
| Food Server | $31,400 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $31,050 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,260 |
| Dishwasher | $28,180 |
| Cook | $27,540 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $9.25 ($19,230 a year).
Do bartenders make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $19,230 against $34,340 nationally, 44% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $19,370, so Columbia pays 1% less.
Where does Columbia rank for bartender pay?
383 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a bartender make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $72,800 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.