How much does a food preparation worker make in Charleston?
$36,220a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $17.41 an hour or $3,018 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.41
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 81 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,650
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,680Median: $36,220Highest 10%: $44,550
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,680 | $11.87 | |
| 25th | $29,630 | $14.25 | |
| Median | $36,220 | $17.41 | |
| 75th | $38,520 | $18.52 | |
| 90th | $44,550 | $21.42 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,920 |
| Charlotte, NC | $34,180 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,330 |
| Augusta, GA | $32,090 |
| Greenville, SC | $30,430 |
| Columbia, SC | $30,260 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,460 |
| Florence, SC | $29,180 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,230 |
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 Server | $33,970 |
| Cook | $32,380 |
| Cook | $32,020 |
| Dishwasher | $31,800 |
| Host and Hostess | $29,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $17.41 ($36,220 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Charleston than the national average?
Yes: $36,220 against $35,320 nationally, 3% more.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $32,180, so Charleston pays 13% more.
Where does Charleston rank for food preparation worker pay?
81 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,550 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.