How much does a waiter and waitress make in Columbia?
$17,810a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $8.56 an hour or $1,484 a month.
- Hourly
- $8.56
- Vs. national median
- -49%
- Rank among cities
- 376 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 6,580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $15,080Median: $17,810Highest 10%: $43,540
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15,080 | $7.25 | |
| 25th | $16,390 | $7.88 | |
| Median | $17,810 | $8.56 | |
| 75th | $22,050 | $10.60 | |
| 90th | $43,540 | $20.93 |
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 |
| Charleston, SC | $19,340 |
| Augusta, GA | $18,390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $18,370 |
| Florence, SC | $17,460 |
| Sumter, SC | $17,440 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,350 |
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 waiter and waitress make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $8.56 ($17,810 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $17,810 against $35,230 nationally, 49% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $18,370, so Columbia pays 3% less.
Where does Columbia rank for waiter and waitress pay?
376 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $15,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,540 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.