How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbia?
$30,260a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $14.55 an hour or $2,522 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.55
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among cities
- 271 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,030
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,810Median: $30,260Highest 10%: $38,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,810 | $10.97 | |
| 25th | $27,620 | $13.28 | |
| Median | $30,260 | $14.55 | |
| 75th | $35,920 | $17.27 | |
| 90th | $38,700 | $18.61 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,920 |
| Charleston, SC | $36,220 |
| Charlotte, NC | $34,180 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,330 |
| Augusta, GA | $32,090 |
| Greenville, SC | $30,430 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,460 |
| Florence, SC | $29,180 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,230 |
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 |
| Dishwasher | $28,180 |
| Cook | $27,540 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,170 |
| Host and Hostess | $23,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $14.55 ($30,260 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $30,260 against $35,320 nationally, 14% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $32,180, so Columbia pays 6% less.
Where does Columbia rank for food preparation worker pay?
271 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,810 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,700 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.