How much does a chef and head cook make in Columbia?
$69,820a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $33.57 an hour or $5,818 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.57
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 37 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,280Median: $69,820Highest 10%: $85,710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,280 | $22.25 | |
| 25th | $55,120 | $26.50 | |
| Median | $69,820 | $33.57 | |
| 75th | $79,250 | $38.10 | |
| 90th | $85,710 | $41.21 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Charleston, SC | $74,210 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $73,690 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $72,670 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $71,700 |
| Greenville, SC | $69,680 |
| Augusta, GA | $68,070 |
| Florence, SC | $67,550 |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,260 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,880 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Cook | $34,800 |
| Food Server | $31,400 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $31,050 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,260 |
| Dishwasher | $28,180 |
| Cook | $27,540 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,170 |
| Host and Hostess | $23,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $33.57 ($69,820 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Columbia than the national average?
Yes: $69,820 against $62,470 nationally, 12% more.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $71,860, so Columbia pays 3% less.
Where does Columbia rank for chef and head cook pay?
37 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $85,710 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.