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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in South Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in South Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$34,960
Median Annual Salary
▲
+10.2% vs 2024
$33,270
Mean Salary
$34,960
Median Salary
$16.81
Hourly Rate
7,850 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in South Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina earn a median salary of $34,960 per year ($2,913/month).
This is 9.6% below the national average of $38,684.
South Carolina ranks #42 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 7,850 people work in this occupation across South Carolina.
Salaries increased by 10.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina range from $21,890 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $42,680 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $29,130 and $37,250.
Median $34,960
P10: $21,890P25: $29,130P75: $37,250P90: $42,680
10th
$21,890
25th
$29,130
Median
$34,960
75th
$37,250
90th
$42,680
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$21,890
$10.52
$1,824
25th Percentile
$29,130
$14.00
$2,427
Median (50th)
$34,960
$16.81
$2,913
75th Percentile
$37,250
$17.91
$3,104
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$42,680
$20.52
$3,556
Note: The mean (average) salary of $33,270 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#42
South Carolina ranks #42 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in South Carolina?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina is $34,960 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $33,270.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina range from $21,890 at the 10th percentile to $42,680 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $29,130 and $37,250.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in South Carolina typically start around $21,890 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $29,130 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,850 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Carolina is approximately $16.81 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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