Dishwasher Salary in Columbia, SC
Dishwashers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $28,180 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,283 take-home, or $2,024 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,208
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,747
- Medicare (1.45%)$409
- South Carolina income tax$534
- Take-home pay$24,283
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 6.00% state
Dishwasher pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,620 | $11.36 | $20,712 | $1,726 |
| 25th percentile | $27,660 | $13.30 | $23,886 | $1,990 |
| Median (50th) | $28,180 | $13.55 | $24,283 | $2,024 |
| 75th percentile | $29,900 | $14.38 | $25,568 | $2,131 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,160 | $16.90 | $29,479 | $2,457 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,180 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 dishwasher's $24,283 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,926 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.2× the national concentration of dishwasher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #141 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 |
| 141 | Columbia, SC | $28,180 | $24,283 | $25,926 |
*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
- Charleston, SC — $31,800
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $28,610
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Columbia, SC?
The median dishwasher salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $28,180 a year, or about $13.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,660 and $29,900.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $28,180 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $24,283 a year ($2,024 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $534 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,926 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #141 of 156 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher 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) — 56% of a median dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $37,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,490
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $34,800
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,050
- Food Preparation Worker — $30,260
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,170
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $23,070
- Cooks, Fast Food — $22,880
- Bartender — $19,230
- Waiter and Waitress — $17,810