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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in South Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,740
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.1% vs 2024
$35,610
Mean Salary
$35,740
Median Salary
$17.18
Hourly Rate
25,890 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in South Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina earn a median salary of $35,740 per year ($2,978/month).
This is 5.2% below the national average of $37,684.
South Carolina ranks #37 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 25,890 people work in this occupation across South Carolina.
Salaries increased by 0.1% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina range from $26,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,680 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,470 and $38,560.
Median $35,740
P10: $26,200P25: $30,470P75: $38,560P90: $45,680
10th
$26,200
25th
$30,470
Median
$35,740
75th
$38,560
90th
$45,680
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$26,200
$12.60
$2,183
25th Percentile
$30,470
$14.65
$2,539
Median (50th)
$35,740
$17.18
$2,978
75th Percentile
$38,560
$18.54
$3,213
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,680
$21.96
$3,806
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,610 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in South Carolina?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina is $35,740 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,610.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina range from $26,200 at the 10th percentile to $45,680 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,470 and $38,560.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in South Carolina typically start around $26,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,470 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 25,890 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in South Carolina is approximately $17.18 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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