South Carolina Median
$71,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#8 of 51
2,650 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in South Carolina?
Chefs and Head Cooks working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $71,860 per year, or about $34.55 per hour. That is 15% above the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $47,640 while the top 10% make $88,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,120 and $79,050 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,640 | $22.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,120 | $28.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $71,860 | $34.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,050 | $38.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,880 | $42.73 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170New York $70,670Tennessee $69,810Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440Colorado $65,400California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Alabama $62,400Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina
Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($71,860) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in South Carolina?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Carolina is $71,860 per year, or about $34.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,640 at the entry level to $88,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 15% more than the national median of $62,470. South Carolina ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,860 a year. About 2,650 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.