Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Columbia, SC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC
Median annual salary
$59,190
-3% vs national
Median hourly
$28.46
10th percentile
$39,910
90th percentile
$79,730
Employed locally
250
National median
$60,990
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Columbia, SC
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Salary percentile breakdown
Columbia economic context
Unemployment rate
4.00%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$66,146
2023 • Census ACS
Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income
89%
Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 11% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Columbia?
The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Columbia, SC is $28.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.21 or more per hour.
Is Columbia above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Columbia, SC is 3% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Columbia?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $39,910 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,910.