Cooks, Short Order salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Cooks, Short Order in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $32,020 a year ($15.40 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $28,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 8% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $29,640. The average (mean) salary is $32,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| 25th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| Median | $32,020 | $15.40 |
| 75th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Average (mean) | $32,410 | $15.58 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,334.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,231.54 |
| Weekly | $615.77 |
| Hourly | $15.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,020 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, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,600 | 530 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $30,690 | 110 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $29,200 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $28,490 | 120 |
| Columbia, SC | $27,540 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order 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, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| 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 35-2015. 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, short order make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $32,020 a year, or $15.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $37,140 a year. The top 25% earn $34,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,240 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $30,840 or less.