Service and retail works paid too little for a modest standard of living across South Carolina: Median annual wage compared with estimated cost of living in selected major metro areas, 2023
| Occupation/Metro area | Wage or Salary |
|---|---|
| Food service, general | $26,930 |
| Bartenders | $18,610 |
| Waiters and waitresses | $18,680 |
| Hotel housekeeping staff | $28,660 |
| Hotel desk clerks | $28,610 |
| Retail salespersons | $28,900 |
| Greenville-Mauldin-Easley | $45,267 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway | $46,117 |
| Columbia | $46,916 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $54,929 |
Note: Annual estimated cost of living for each metro area are for a single adult with no children. Myrtle Beach-Conway includes North Myrtle Beach. Title shortened to fit graph.
Source: Author’s analysis of May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS-OEWS) and the EPI Family Budget Calculator.