Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $51,340 +20.1% vs national
Median hourly $24.68
10th percentile $31,970
90th percentile $64,940
Employed locally 160
National median $42,730

Compare Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,970
    25th
    $39,260
    50th (median)
    $51,340
    75th
    $61,320
    90th
    $64,940

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 78% Median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 22% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $66,110
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,670
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,350
    Colorado $59,990
    Appleton, WI $56,230
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $54,540

    Nearby metros — Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $54,340
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,230
    Wisconsin $49,160
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,150
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $47,750
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $45,110

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,710
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,920
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $38,280
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $36,130
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbia, SC is $24.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.07 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Columbia, SC is 20.1% above the national median of $42,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbia?

    Entry-level Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $31,970 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,260.