South Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $10,580 — a 30% gap.
Cooks, Restaurant are more concentrated in South Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.23 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.23× the national share.
South Carolina employs roughly 1.8% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (26,230 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $25,420 | $12.22 |
| 25th percentile | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| 75th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,210 | $21.25 |
| Mean (average) | $34,690 | $16.68 |
How South Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (current) | $35,700 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +30% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +27% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +26% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +26% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +25% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +25% |
| California | $44,290 | +24% |
| New York | $39,890 | +12% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,680 | 1,840 |
| Skincare Specialists | $35,810 | 1,110 |
| Food Batchmakers | $35,870 | 700 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $35,360 | 1,120 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,330 | 43,950 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,120 | 1,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Carolina?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in South Carolina is $34,690 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,700 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in South Carolina typically earn around $25,420 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $29,770 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Carolina make approximately $44,210 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $37,440 per year.
How does the South Carolina Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in South Carolina is $35,700, which is -3% below national average of $36,830.