How much does a waiter and waitress make in Charleston?
$19,340a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $9.30 an hour or $1,612 a month.
- Hourly
- $9.30
- Vs. national median
- -45%
- Rank among cities
- 363 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 9,580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $16,340Median: $19,340Highest 10%: $59,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,340 | $7.86 | |
| 25th | $18,050 | $8.68 | |
| Median | $19,340 | $9.30 | |
| 75th | $30,260 | $14.55 | |
| 90th | $59,790 | $28.75 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Charlotte, NC | $36,430 |
| Greenville, SC | $19,950 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $19,830 |
| Augusta, GA | $18,390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $18,370 |
| Columbia, SC | $17,810 |
| Florence, SC | $17,460 |
| Sumter, SC | $17,440 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,350 |
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 waiter and waitress make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $9.30 ($19,340 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $19,340 against $35,230 nationally, 45% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $18,370, so Charleston pays 5% more.
Where does Charleston rank for waiter and waitress pay?
363 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $16,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $59,790 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.