Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Carolina
Cooks, Fast Food in South Carolina earn a median of $27,420 a year ($13.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $30,890. South Carolina ranks 43rd of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 4.0 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,690 | $10.43 |
| 25th percentile | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| Median | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| 75th percentile | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Average (mean) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,285 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,142.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,054.62 |
| Weekly | $527.31 |
| Hourly | $13.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,420 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.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $32,380 | 1,090 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $28,290 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $28,210 | 1,970 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $28,030 | 630 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $27,690 | 15,830 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $27,100 | 840 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,780 | 880 |
| Sumter, SC | $23,980 | 280 |
| Florence, SC | $23,310 | 390 |
| Columbia, SC | $22,880 | 1,500 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,370 | $8.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Bartender | $19,370 | $9.31 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Dishwasher | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| 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 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in South Carolina?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in South Carolina is $27,420 a year, or $13.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in South Carolina earn at least $37,140 a year. The top 25% earn $33,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,690 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $22,830 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in South Carolina?
About 9,110 cooks, fast food are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.