How much does a cook make in Charleston?
$29,450a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Charleston, WV metro area. That is $14.16 an hour or $2,454 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.16
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among cities
- 363 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 770
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,530Median: $29,450Highest 10%: $36,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,530 | $10.83 | |
| 25th | $23,580 | $11.34 | |
| Median | $29,450 | $14.16 | |
| 75th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 90th | $36,940 | $17.76 |
Other cities in West Virginia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $42,920 |
| Winchester, VA | $35,390 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $34,330 |
| Weirton, WV | $30,030 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,740 |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,710 |
| Parkersburg, WV | $29,700 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,550 |
| Beckley, WV | $28,770 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,900 |
| Bartender | $30,900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $30,450 |
| Food Server | $30,330 |
| Cook | $30,050 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,970 |
| Cook | $27,590 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,360 |
| Dishwasher | $26,440 |
| Host and Hostess | $25,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston, WV metro area is $14.16 ($29,450 a year).
Do cooks make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $29,450 against $37,390 nationally, 21% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of West Virginia?
The median in West Virginia is $29,590, so Charleston pays 0% more.
Where does Charleston rank for cook pay?
363 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,940 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.