How much does a cook make in Columbia?
$35,490a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $17.06 an hour or $2,958 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.06
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 237 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 3,520
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,870Median: $35,490Highest 10%: $43,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,870 | $12.92 | |
| 25th | $30,470 | $14.65 | |
| Median | $35,490 | $17.06 | |
| 75th | $38,320 | $18.42 | |
| 90th | $43,220 | $20.78 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Charlotte, NC | $37,030 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,820 |
| Charleston, SC | $36,710 |
| Greenville, SC | $35,680 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $35,500 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,190 |
| Florence, SC | $34,550 |
| Augusta, GA | $33,990 |
| Sumter, SC | $31,370 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $69,820 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,880 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $17.06 ($35,490 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $35,490 against $37,390 nationally, 5% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $35,740, so Columbia pays 1% less.
Where does Columbia rank for cook pay?
237 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,870 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,220 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.