Cooks Fast Food Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,690
- 25th Percentile — Junior$22,830
- 50th Percentile — Median$27,420
- 75th Percentile — Senior$33,540
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$37,140
Half of Cooks Fast Food in South Carolina earn more than $27,420. The top 10% make $37,140 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,690.
Cooks Fast Food in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 41st of 51 states for Cooks Fast Food pay, at $28,080 per year (13.3% below the U.S. average of $32,390).
- 9,110 people work as Cooks Fast Food in South Carolina — 1.4% of all U.S. Cooks Fast Food jobs.
- Location quotient 0.96: Cooks Fast Food jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,690; the top 10% earn over $37,140.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.5 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $43,710.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,780).
Cooks Fast Food 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. Cooks Fast Food here earn $28,080 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $28,080 is roughly equivalent to $31,909 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($29,460), Wisconsin ($29,310), Idaho ($29,060) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Fast Food 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,780/yr South Carolina +152.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,030/yr South Carolina +53.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,610/yr South Carolina +26.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,270/yr South Carolina +18.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $28,440/yr South Carolina +1.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840/yr South Carolina 0.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,260/yr South Carolina 2.9% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $25,900/yr South Carolina 7.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Fast Food salary in South Carolina?
The average Cooks Fast Food salary in South Carolina is $28,080 per year (median $27,420), which is 13.3% below the national average of $32,390.
How does South Carolina rank for Cooks Fast Food pay?
South Carolina ranks 41st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($43,710/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Fast Food make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Fast Food in South Carolina earn about $21,690 per year and the 25th percentile is $22,830.
How much do Cooks Fast Food make per hour in South Carolina?
About $13.5 per hour, based on the $28,080 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Fast Food work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 9,110 Cooks Fast Food jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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