Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in South Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks in South Carolina earn a median of $71,860 a year, +15% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $71,860
- vs. U.S. median
- +15% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 8 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 2,650
Pay range in South Carolina
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,640; the top 10% earn over $88,880. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near South Carolina
Similar jobs in South Carolina
- Food Service Managers$66,190 median in South Carolina
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,520 median in South Carolina
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45,320 median in South Carolina
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$34,960 median in South Carolina
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39,790 median in South Carolina
- Cooks, Restaurant$35,740 median in South Carolina
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in South Carolina
How much do chefs and head cooks make in South Carolina?
The median is $71,860 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,640 and the top 10% earn over $88,880. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is South Carolina a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 8 of 51 (+15% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.