South Carolina Median
$38,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#30 of 41
520 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Carolina?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina take home a median of $38,220 annually — roughly $18.38 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $41,590.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,520 while the top 10% make $46,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,030 and $38,320 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,520 | $17.56 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,030 | $18.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,320 | $18.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,370 | $22.29 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 30th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Colorado $46,900Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Tennessee $45,620Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000South Dakota $39,270North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440Maine $37,500New Jersey $37,180Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Virginia $35,140Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($38,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Carolina?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in South Carolina is $38,220 per year, or about $18.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,520 at the entry level to $46,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 8% less than the national median of $41,590. South Carolina ranks 30th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,220 a year. About 520 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.