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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in South Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$38,220
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.7% vs 2024
$39,050
Mean Salary
$38,220
Median Salary
$18.38
Hourly Rate
520 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in South Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina earn a median salary of $38,220 per year ($3,185/month).
This is 7.3% below the national average of $41,230.
South Carolina ranks #30 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay.
Approximately 520 people work in this occupation across South Carolina.
Salaries increased by 3.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina range from $36,520 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $46,370 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,030 and $38,320.
Median $38,220
P10: $36,520P25: $38,030P75: $38,320P90: $46,370
10th
$36,520
25th
$38,030
Median
$38,220
75th
$38,320
90th
$46,370
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,520
$17.56
$3,043
25th Percentile
$38,030
$18.28
$3,169
Median (50th)
$38,220
$18.38
$3,185
75th Percentile
$38,320
$18.42
$3,193
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$46,370
$22.29
$3,864
Note: The mean (average) salary of $39,050 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#30
South Carolina ranks #30 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Carolina?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina is $38,220 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $39,050.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina range from $36,520 at the 10th percentile to $46,370 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,030 and $38,320.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in South Carolina typically start around $36,520 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,030 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 520 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Carolina is approximately $18.38 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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