Dishwasher Salary in Charleston, SC
Dishwashers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $31,800 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,980 take-home, or $2,248 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,636
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,972
- Medicare (1.45%)$461
- South Carolina income tax$751
- Take-home pay$26,980
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Dishwasher pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 | $19,300 | $1,608 |
| 25th percentile | $28,650 | $13.77 | $24,638 | $2,053 |
| Median (50th) | $31,800 | $15.29 | $26,980 | $2,248 |
| 75th percentile | $35,710 | $17.17 | $29,887 | $2,491 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,210 | $18.37 | $31,746 | $2,646 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,800 buys in Charleston, SC
Prices in Charleston, SC are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dishwasher's $26,980 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,723 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, SC has 1.4× the national concentration of dishwasher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, SC ranks #116 of 156 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $45,930 | $37,094 | $33,909 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $42,750 | $36,530 | $32,870 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $43,960 | $36,183 | $32,767 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $34,800 | $29,444 | $31,816 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $37,110 | $31,417 | $31,780 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,263 |
| 7 | Omaha, NE | $33,810 | $28,688 | $31,212 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $35,360 | $30,592 | $31,195 |
| 116 | Charleston, SC | $31,800 | $26,980 | $26,723 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 156 metros →
Dishwasher salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $29,590
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $28,610
- Columbia, SC — $28,180
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Charleston, SC?
The median dishwasher salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $31,800 a year, or about $15.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,650 and $35,710.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $31,800 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $26,980 a year ($2,248 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $751 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,723 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #116 of 156 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher afford rent in Charleston, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, SC is $1,630 a month ($1,787 for two bedrooms) — 72% of a median dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,210
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,620
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,990
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,710
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,220
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $33,970
- Cooks, Fast Food — $32,380
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,140
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,500
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $26,410
- Bartender — $19,630
- Waiter and Waitress — $19,340