Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Culinary Chef in South Carolina is $53,602 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, a Culinary Chef's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
Culinary Chef Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,322 | $4,943 | $1,141 | $29 |
| Average | $53,602 | $4,467 | $1,031 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,433 | $4,036 | $931 | $23 |
Hyatt - Isle Of Palms, SC
Kettering Health - WEST CARROLLTON, OH
Calhoun County Medical Care Facility - BATTLE CREEK, MI
Market District - EXPORT, PA
A Culinary Chef's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Culinary Cheves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Culinary Chef roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Culinary Chef positions in Telecom or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Culinary Chef as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $72,363 | $35.0 | 35% |
| Energy & Utilities | $69,683 | $34.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $67,003 | $32.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $64,323 | $31.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $64,323 | $31.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Culinary Chef's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $59,322 | $4,943 | $1,141 | $29 |
| Average | $53,602 | $4,467 | $1,031 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,433 | $4,036 | $931 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Culinary Chef job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Aramark
LAFAYETTE SPRINGS, MS
Aramark
NAPLES, TX
Aramark | NAPLES, TX
As a Culinary Specialist at ARAMARK’s Avir at Paluxy location, you’ll prepare and present high‑quality meals in a fast-paced food service environment. Resp... more
6 Days Ago
The Inn on Westport
ELLIS, SD
The Inn on Westport | ELLIS, SD
The Director of Culinary leads all dining services for assisted living residents at The Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls, SD. This role oversees menu plannin... more
12 Days Ago
Aramark
BUTLER, PA
Aramark | BUTLER, PA
As an Assistant Culinary Manager with ARAMARK in Food & Beverage Operations, you’ll support daily kitchen leadership for high-volume service. You will help... more
9 Days Ago
Aramark
ALTUS, OK
Aramark | ALTUS, OK
ARAMARK is seeking an Executive Chef for Florida State University to lead culinary operations, menu innovation, and kitchen teams in a high-volume campus d... more
7 Days Ago
Resort Lifestyle Communities
CIMARRON HILLS, CO
Resort Lifestyle Communities | CIMARRON HILLS, CO
RL Communities, a leader in senior residential living, is seeking an experienced and creative Executive Chef to join our vibrant team. This role is crucial... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
