Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Charleston, SC (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Charleston-North Charleston, SC · 5,930 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Charleston, SC is $36,340 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $31,790 and $37,930. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $45,870 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $27,680. The median of $36,630 is below the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $27,680 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,790 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $36,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $36,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,930 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $45,870 |
Related Jobs in Charleston, SC
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,010 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,700 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,430 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $33,110 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,740 |
| Dishwashers | $31,060 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Charleston, SC?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Charleston, SC is $36,340 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Charleston, SC?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Charleston, SC is $36,630 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Charleston, SC?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Charleston, SC typically earn around $27,680 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $31,790.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Charleston, SC?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Charleston, SC earn $45,870 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $37,930.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Charleston, SC?
There are approximately 5,930 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area, per BLS OEWS.