Salaries › Chef › South Carolina
Chef Salary in South Carolina (2026)
$34.55 per hour · take-home ≈ $56,229/year ($4,686/month) for a single filer
South Carolina ranks 8th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 14% above the national average. Of the 2,650 Chef jobs BLS counts in South Carolina, the typical worker earns $71,860 a year — though pay ranges from $47,640 for newcomers to $88,880 at the top.
Chef pay range in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $47,640 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $60,120 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $71,860 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $79,050 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $88,880 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,650 Chef jobs in South Carolina (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Carolina
A median Chef salary of $71,860 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus South Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $56,229 — an effective tax rate of 21.8%.
| Gross (median) | $71,860 |
| Federal income tax | −$6,979 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,497 |
| South Carolina state income tax | −$3,154 |
| Take-home (annual) | $56,229 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,686 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in South Carolina?
- The median Chef salary in South Carolina is $71,860 per year ($34.55 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $60,120 and $79,050.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in South Carolina?
- On the median salary of $71,860, a single filer in South Carolina takes home about $56,229 per year ($4,686 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 21.8%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in South Carolina?
- BLS counts 2,650 Chef jobs in South Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in South Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified South Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for South Carolina.