Columbia, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Columbia, SC

In the Columbia, SC metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $27,500 ($13.22/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,300/year and the 90th was $35,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,008 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$27,500$13.22 per hour · $2,292 monthly
10th Percentile$22,300$10.72/hr base
25th Percentile$23,300$11.20/hr base
75th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
90th Percentile$35,000$16.83/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

$27,500
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$27,500
Net 87%
Fed 4%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,008After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,001Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$923Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,140 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$249 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,104 / yr

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$10.72/hr$1,858$22,300$19,829
25th Percentile$11.20/hr$1,942$23,300$20,632
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.22/hr$2,292$27,500$24,008
75th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,673
90th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,905

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbia, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$27,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,359Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.76.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.2%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 Columbia, SC

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC is $27,500, which equates to approximately $2,292 per month or $13.22 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC is $13.22 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.72/hour and one in ten earned more than $16.83/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Columbia, SC span from $22,300 at the 10th percentile to $23,300 at the 25th, $29,600 at the 75th, and $35,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $27,500, an estimated $24,008 lands in net take-home pay per year ($923 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,493 (an effective rate of 12.7%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Columbia, SC?

On the median annual salary of $27,500, gross monthly income is $2,292. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,001 per month (or $923 every two weeks).

Is $27,500 a good salary in Columbia, SC?

At $27,500, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 40.2% of the Columbia, SC median household income ($68,359). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.7, making regional consumer goods and services 6.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.