How much does a cook make in Charleston?
$32,380a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $15.57 an hour or $2,698 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.57
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 94 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 1,090
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,770Median: $32,380Highest 10%: $38,960
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,770 | $10.47 | |
| 25th | $24,720 | $11.88 | |
| Median | $32,380 | $15.57 | |
| 75th | $35,250 | $16.95 | |
| 90th | $38,960 | $18.73 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $28,290 |
| Greenville, SC | $28,210 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $28,030 |
| Charlotte, NC | $27,690 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $27,100 |
| Augusta, GA | $26,780 |
| Sumter, SC | $23,980 |
| Florence, SC | $23,310 |
| Columbia, SC | $22,880 |
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 |
| Cook | $36,710 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,220 |
| Food Server | $33,970 |
| 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 $15.57 ($32,380 a year).
Do cooks make more in Charleston than the national average?
Yes: $32,380 against $30,890 nationally, 5% more.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $27,420, so Charleston pays 18% more.
Where does Charleston rank for cook pay?
94 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,960 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.