Charleston-North Charleston, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Bartender Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area, bartenders earned a median annual wage of $20,900 ($10.05/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $16,200/year and the 90th was $64,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $18,704 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$20,900$10.05 per hour · $1,742 monthly
10th Percentile$16,200$7.79/hr base
25th Percentile$18,500$8.89/hr base
75th Percentile$34,400$16.54/hr base
90th Percentile$64,000$30.77/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$20,900
$15,000$45,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$20,900
Net 89%
Fed 2%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$18,704After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,559Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$719Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate10.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$480 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$117 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,599 / yr

Bartenders Wage Percentiles in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Bartenders in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$7.79/hr$1,350$16,200$14,927
25th Percentile$8.89/hr$1,542$18,500$16,775
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$10.05/hr$1,742$20,900$18,704
75th Percentile$16.54/hr$2,867$34,400$29,434
90th Percentile$30.77/hr$5,333$64,000$51,676

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$20,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,254Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.01% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio24.5%of area median income

Compare bartenders salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Bartenders Pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

What is the median salary for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $20,900, which equates to approximately $1,742 per month or $10.05 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median hourly wage for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $10.05 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $7.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.77/hour.

What is the pay range for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

BLS wage estimates for bartenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC span from $16,200 at the 10th percentile to $18,500 at the 25th, $34,400 at the 75th, and $64,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do bartenders take home after taxes in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On a median gross salary of $20,900, an estimated $18,704 lands in net take-home pay per year ($719 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $2,196 (an effective rate of 10.5%).

How much do bartenders make per month in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On the median annual salary of $20,900, gross monthly income is $1,742. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,559 per month (or $719 every two weeks).

Is $20,900 a good salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

At $20,900, the median salary for bartenders is 24.5% of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC median household income ($85,254). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.0, making regional consumer goods and services 1% more expensive than the U.S. average.