Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$15,080
- 25th Percentile — Junior$16,980
- 50th Percentile — Median$18,370
- 75th Percentile — Senior$29,910
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$46,820
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in South Carolina earn more than $18,370. The top 10% make $46,820 or more, while entry-level workers start around $15,080.
Waiters and Waitresses in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 48th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $25,900 per year (35.3% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 47,200 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in South Carolina — 2.1% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.40: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $15,080; the top 10% earn over $46,820.
- Hourly equivalent: $12.45 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,780).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $25,900 on average, placing the state 48th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $25,900 is roughly equivalent to $29,432 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arkansas ($29,050), Alabama ($27,200), Iowa ($26,940) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,780/yr South Carolina +173.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,030/yr South Carolina +66.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,610/yr South Carolina +37.5% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,270/yr South Carolina +28.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $28,440/yr South Carolina +9.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $28,080/yr South Carolina +8.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840/yr South Carolina +7.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,260/yr South Carolina +5.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Carolina?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Carolina is $25,900 per year (median $18,370), which is 35.3% below the national average of $40,060.
How does South Carolina rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
South Carolina ranks 48th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in South Carolina earn about $15,080 per year and the 25th percentile is $16,980.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in South Carolina?
About $12.45 per hour, based on the $25,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 47,200 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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