How much does a cook make in Charleston?
$23,180a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Charleston, WV metro area. That is $11.14 an hour or $1,932 a month.
- Hourly
- $11.14
- Vs. national median
- -25%
- Rank among cities
- 289 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 2,230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,170Median: $23,180Highest 10%: $27,820
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,170 | $10.66 | |
| 25th | $22,380 | $10.76 | |
| Median | $23,180 | $11.14 | |
| 75th | $26,850 | $12.91 | |
| 90th | $27,820 | $13.38 |
Other cities in West Virginia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Washington, DC | $35,800 |
| Winchester, VA | $28,430 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $27,620 |
| Weirton, WV | $23,710 |
| Wheeling, WV | $23,110 |
| Parkersburg, WV | $22,780 |
| Huntington, WV | $22,610 |
| Beckley, WV | $22,370 |
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 |
| Cook | $27,590 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,360 |
| Dishwasher | $26,440 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston, WV metro area is $11.14 ($23,180 a year).
Do cooks make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $23,180 against $30,890 nationally, 25% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of West Virginia?
The median in West Virginia is $23,120, so Charleston pays 0% more.
Where does Charleston rank for cook pay?
289 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $27,820 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.