Chef Salary in Charleston, WV — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Charleston's cost of living (index: 80). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Charleston — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Charleston
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Charleston
Charleston has a metro population of 220,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.0% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Charleston
Other Professions in Charleston
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Charleston, WV?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Charleston is $47,136 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Charleston's cost of living index (80). The typical salary range runs from $34,280 (25th percentile) to $64,464 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $84,576.
Is Charleston affordable for a Chef?
On a $47,136 annual salary, a Chef in Charleston would spend approximately 19.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($750/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Charleston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $155,000 is 3.3× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Charleston's overall income?
Charleston's median household income is $46,200. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $47,136 earns 2.0% more than the typical Charleston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.