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

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $29,600 ($14.23/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,100/year and the 90th was $37,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,673 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,600$14.23 per hour · $2,467 monthly
10th Percentile$24,100$11.59/hr base
25th Percentile$25,100$12.07/hr base
75th Percentile$31,900$15.34/hr base
90th Percentile$37,700$18.13/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

$29,600
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,600
Net 87%
Fed 5%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,673After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,139Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$987Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,372 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$291 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,264 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$11.59/hr$2,008$24,100$21,275
25th Percentile$12.07/hr$2,092$25,100$22,079
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,673
75th Percentile$15.34/hr$2,658$31,900$27,475
90th Percentile$18.13/hr$3,142$37,700$32,020

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,600 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 Ratio34.7%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $29,600, which equates to approximately $2,467 per month or $14.23 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $14.23 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.59/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.13/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC span from $24,100 at the 10th percentile to $25,100 at the 25th, $31,900 at the 75th, and $37,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On a median gross salary of $29,600, an estimated $25,673 lands in net take-home pay per year ($987 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,927 (an effective rate of 13.3%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On the median annual salary of $29,600, gross monthly income is $2,467. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,139 per month (or $987 every two weeks).

Is $29,600 a good salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

At $29,600, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 34.7% 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.