South Carolina Median
$27,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#43 of 51
9,110 employed here
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in South Carolina?
A Cook, Fast Food working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $27,420 per year, or about $13.18 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $21,690 while the top 10% make $37,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,830 and $33,540 a year.
Cook, Fast Food salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,690 | $10.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $22,830 | $10.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $27,420 | $13.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $33,540 | $16.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Fast Food salary in other states
Hawaii $48,120District of Columbia $44,670California $42,050Washington $39,120New Hampshire $38,590Vermont $38,230Oregon $37,880Massachusetts $37,870Colorado $36,900Maine $36,350New York $35,770Rhode Island $35,230Connecticut $34,980Illinois $34,960Minnesota $34,120Alaska $33,960Nevada $33,840Maryland $33,320Arizona $32,660New Jersey $32,220Delaware $31,840Utah $31,800Idaho $31,070South Dakota $30,950Nebraska $30,430North Dakota $30,220New Mexico $30,190Virginia $29,950Florida $29,900Missouri $29,890Indiana $29,870Michigan $29,460Wyoming $28,950Wisconsin $28,920Pennsylvania $28,810Kansas $28,640Iowa $28,510Tennessee $28,330Texas $28,280Alabama $27,870Oklahoma $27,720Arkansas $27,710North Carolina $27,190Georgia $26,940Ohio $26,870Montana $26,770Louisiana $24,960Kentucky $23,500West Virginia $23,120Mississippi $22,670
Working as a Cook, Fast Food in South Carolina
Nationally, about 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($27,420) 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 does a Cook, Fast Food make in South Carolina?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in South Carolina is $27,420 per year, or about $13.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,690 at the entry level to $37,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Cooks, Fast Food about 11% less than the national median of $30,890. South Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,420 a year. About 9,110 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Cook, Fast Food salary report
Related salaries
$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
$35,320
median pay · 894,000 employed
$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
$35,230
median pay · 2,271,000 employed
$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed
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.