Food Preparation Workers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $33,730 -1.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.22
10th percentile $22,910
90th percentile $42,680
Employed locally 2,750
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,910
    25th
    $28,190
    50th (median)
    $33,730
    75th
    $37,470
    90th
    $42,680

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,310
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $34,120
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $33,780
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $33,650
    Wisconsin $32,810

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,450
    Waiters and Waitresses $18,890
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,010
    Bartenders $18,710
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Charleston, SC is $16.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.42 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Charleston, SC is 1.4% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Charleston?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,910 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,190.