Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,450
- 25th Percentile — Junior$39,650
- 50th Percentile — Median$48,470
- 75th Percentile — Senior$51,870
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$57,820
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in South Dakota earn more than $48,470. The top 10% make $57,820 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,450.
Chefs and Head Cooks in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $47,900 per year (28.2% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 300 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in South Dakota — 0.1% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.51: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,450; the top 10% earn over $57,820.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($42,530).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $47,900 on average, placing the state 51st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $47,900 is roughly equivalent to $55,057 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($55,060), Arkansas ($53,820), Iowa ($52,840) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,530/yr South Dakota 11.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,630/yr South Dakota 21.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,720/yr South Dakota 23.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,940/yr South Dakota 33.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,550/yr South Dakota 34.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,230/yr South Dakota 34.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,900/yr South Dakota 35.5% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $30,860/yr South Dakota 35.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Dakota?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Dakota is $47,900 per year (median $48,470), which is 28.2% below the national average of $66,700.
How does South Dakota rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in South Dakota earn about $37,450 per year and the 25th percentile is $39,650.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in South Dakota?
About $23.03 per hour, based on the $47,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 300 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data