How much does a cook make in Charleston?
$36,710a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $17.65 an hour or $3,059 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.65
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 146 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 6,040
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,580Median: $36,710Highest 10%: $46,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,580 | $12.78 | |
| 25th | $30,070 | $14.46 | |
| Median | $36,710 | $17.65 | |
| 75th | $44,570 | $21.43 | |
| 90th | $46,630 | $22.42 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Charlotte, NC | $37,030 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,820 |
| Greenville, SC | $35,680 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $35,500 |
| Columbia, SC | $35,490 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,190 |
| Florence, SC | $34,550 |
| Augusta, GA | $33,990 |
| Sumter, SC | $31,370 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,620 |
| Cook | $36,990 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,220 |
| Food Server | $33,970 |
| Cook | $32,380 |
| Cook | $32,020 |
| Dishwasher | $31,800 |
| Host and Hostess | $29,140 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $17.65 ($36,710 a year).
Do cooks make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $36,710 against $37,390 nationally, 2% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $35,740, so Charleston pays 3% more.
Where does Charleston rank for cook pay?
146 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,630 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.