Cashier Salary in Columbia, SC
Cashiers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $27,830 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,015 take-home, or $2,001 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,173
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,725
- Medicare (1.45%)$404
- South Carolina income tax$513
- Take-home pay$24,015
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 | $19,300 | $1,608 |
| 25th percentile | $24,000 | $11.54 | $21,014 | $1,751 |
| Median (50th) | $27,830 | $13.38 | $24,015 | $2,001 |
| 75th percentile | $30,560 | $14.69 | $26,058 | $2,172 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,790 | $16.73 | $29,203 | $2,434 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $27,830 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $24,015 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,640 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Columbia, SC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #189 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 189 | Columbia, SC | $27,830 | $24,015 | $25,640 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Spartanburg, SC — $29,960
- Greenville, SC — $29,080
- Florence, SC — $26,420
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $27,850
- Charleston, SC — $30,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Columbia, SC?
The median cashier salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $27,830 a year, or about $13.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,000 and $30,560.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $27,830 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $24,015 a year ($2,001 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $513 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,640 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #189 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.