Cooks Restaurant Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$26,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,470
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,740
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,560
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,680
Half of Cooks Restaurant in South Carolina earn more than $35,740. The top 10% make $45,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $26,200.
Cooks Restaurant in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 37th of 51 states for Cooks Restaurant pay, at $35,610 per year (8.1% below the U.S. average of $38,730).
- 25,890 people work as Cooks Restaurant in South Carolina — 1.8% of all U.S. Cooks Restaurant jobs.
- Location quotient 1.24: Cooks Restaurant jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,200; the top 10% earn over $45,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $47,200.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Carolina, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,780).
Cooks Restaurant 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 Restaurant here earn $35,610 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $35,610 is roughly equivalent to $40,466 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wisconsin ($36,690), Tennessee ($36,530), Pennsylvania ($35,750) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Restaurant 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 +98.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $43,030/yr South Carolina +20.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,270/yr South Carolina 6.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $28,440/yr South Carolina 20.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $28,080/yr South Carolina 21.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,840/yr South Carolina 21.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,260/yr South Carolina 23.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $25,900/yr South Carolina 27.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Restaurant salary in South Carolina?
The average Cooks Restaurant salary in South Carolina is $35,610 per year (median $35,740), which is 8.1% below the national average of $38,730.
How does South Carolina rank for Cooks Restaurant pay?
South Carolina ranks 37th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($47,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Restaurant make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Restaurant in South Carolina earn about $26,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,470.
How much do Cooks Restaurant make per hour in South Carolina?
About $17.12 per hour, based on the $35,610 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Restaurant work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 25,890 Cooks Restaurant jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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