South Carolina ranks 19th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $19,910 — a 32% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $42,810 to $88,430 — a $45,620 spread, 24% tighter than the national $60,030 range.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in South Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.74 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.35× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| 25th percentile | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| 75th percentile | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,430 | $42.51 |
| Mean (average) | $64,050 | $30.79 |
How South Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (current) | $61,290 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +32% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +29% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +25% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +16% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +14% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +14% |
| California | $66,780 | +9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,300 | 17,010 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $61,260 | 9,520 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,190 | 7,000 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $61,130 | 1,180 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $61,600 | 1,650 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $60,910 | 880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in South Carolina is $64,050 per year. The median (middle) salary is $61,290 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in South Carolina typically earn around $42,810 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $51,990 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Carolina make approximately $88,430 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $73,040 per year.
How does the South Carolina Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in South Carolina is $61,290, which is +0% above national average of $60,990.