The median annual wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Columbia, SC is $34,070 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $34,230.
Pay spans roughly $22,800 at the 10th percentile to $41,550 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $16.38 per hour. An estimated 1,160 people work as cooks, institution and cafeteria in Columbia, SC.
| Median (annual) | $34,070 |
| Mean (annual) | $34,230 |
| Median (hourly) | $16.38 |
| 10th percentile | $22,800 |
| 90th percentile | $41,550 |
| Employment | 1,160 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.