The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Columbia, SC is $59,190 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $59,430.
Pay spans roughly $39,910 at the 10th percentile to $79,730 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $28.46 per hour. An estimated 250 people work as chefs and head cooks in Columbia, SC.
| Median (annual) | $59,190 |
| Mean (annual) | $59,430 |
| Median (hourly) | $28.46 |
| 10th percentile | $39,910 |
| 90th percentile | $79,730 |
| Employment | 250 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.