Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $36,990 a year ($17.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,960. There are 2.4 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,920, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| 25th percentile | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Median | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| 75th percentile | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| Average (mean) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,082.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,541.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,422.69 |
| Weekly | $711.35 |
| Hourly | $17.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,990 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, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $38,920 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,690 | 3,090 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $36,130 | 360 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,270 | 1,760 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,970 | 430 |
| Columbia, SC | $34,800 | 1,410 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $34,080 | 440 |
| Florence, SC | $33,540 | 390 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,880 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,020 | $15.40 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $19,340 | $9.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Bartender | $19,630 | $9.44 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Dishwasher | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,230 | $10.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $36,990 a year, or $17.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $45,330 a year. The top 25% earn $40,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,560 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $33,960 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 940 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.