Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,640
- 25th Percentile — Junior$60,120
- 50th Percentile — Median$71,860
- 75th Percentile — Senior$79,050
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$88,880
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina earn more than $71,860. The top 10% make $88,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,640.
Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 9th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $70,780 per year (6.1% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 2,650 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina — 1.3% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.89: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,640; the top 10% earn over $88,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($43,030).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $70,780 on average, placing the state 9th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $70,780 is roughly equivalent to $80,432 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($74,670), Wyoming ($74,570), Massachusetts ($73,420) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,030/yr South Carolina 39.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,610/yr South Carolina 49.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,270/yr South Carolina 53.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $28,440/yr South Carolina 59.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $28,080/yr South Carolina 60.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840/yr South Carolina 60.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,260/yr South Carolina 61.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $25,900/yr South Carolina 63.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina is $70,780 per year (median $71,860), which is 6.1% above the national average of $66,700.
How does South Carolina rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
South Carolina ranks 9th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina earn about $47,640 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,120.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in South Carolina?
About $34.03 per hour, based on the $70,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 2,650 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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