Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$29,130
- 50th Percentile — Median$34,960
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,250
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$42,680
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina earn more than $34,960. The top 10% make $42,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,890.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $33,270 per year (14.3% below the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 7,850 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina — 1.8% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 1.20: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,890; the top 10% earn over $42,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,780).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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 Institution and Cafeteria here earn $33,270 on average, placing the state 44th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $33,270 is roughly equivalent to $37,807 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($35,260), Missouri ($35,190), Texas ($34,870) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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 +112.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,030/yr South Carolina +29.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,610/yr South Carolina +7.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $28,440/yr South Carolina 14.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $28,080/yr South Carolina 15.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840/yr South Carolina 16.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,260/yr South Carolina 18.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $25,900/yr South Carolina 22.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Carolina?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Carolina is $33,270 per year (median $34,960), which is 14.3% below the national average of $38,810.
How does South Carolina rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
South Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina earn about $21,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,130.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in South Carolina?
About $16.0 per hour, based on the $33,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 7,850 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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