How much does a cook make in Charleston?
$27,590a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Charleston, WV metro area. That is $13.26 an hour or $2,299 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.26
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 199 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 80
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,550Median: $27,590Highest 10%: $37,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,550 | $10.84 | |
| 25th | $26,610 | $12.79 | |
| Median | $27,590 | $13.26 | |
| 75th | $31,540 | $15.16 | |
| 90th | $37,190 | $17.88 |
Other cities in West Virginia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $39,650 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $31,840 |
| Winchester, VA | $30,670 |
| Morgantown, WV | $29,210 |
| Wheeling, WV | $27,590 |
| Huntington, WV | $26,470 |
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 |
| Cook | $29,450 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,970 |
| 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 $13.26 ($27,590 a year).
Do cooks make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $27,590 against $35,880 nationally, 23% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of West Virginia?
The median in West Virginia is $27,440, so Charleston pays 1% more.
Where does Charleston rank for cook pay?
199 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,550 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,190 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.