Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina earn a median of $71,860 a year ($34.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,880 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $62,470. South Carolina ranks 8th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,780, close to the median.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Median | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| 75th percentile | $79,050 | $38.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Average (mean) | $70,780 | $34.03 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,994.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,763.85 |
| Weekly | $1,381.92 |
| Hourly | $34.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $74,210 | 770 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $73,690 | 240 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $72,670 | 140 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $71,700 | 250 |
| Columbia, SC | $69,820 | 280 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $69,680 | 360 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,070 | 230 |
| Florence, SC | $67,550 | 70 |
| Sumter, SC | $65,020 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $64,260 | 1,480 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,370 | $8.83 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Bartender | $19,370 | $9.31 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dishwasher | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,230 | $10.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in South Carolina?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in South Carolina is $71,860 a year, or $34.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in South Carolina earn at least $88,880 a year. The top 25% earn $79,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,640 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $60,120 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in South Carolina?
About 2,650 chefs and head cooks are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.