Cooks Fast Food Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$25,410
- 25th Percentile — Junior$29,330
- 50th Percentile — Median$30,950
- 75th Percentile — Senior$33,000
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$34,910
Half of Cooks Fast Food in South Dakota earn more than $30,950. The top 10% make $34,910 or more, while entry-level workers start around $25,410.
Cooks Fast Food in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 28th of 51 states for Cooks Fast Food pay, at $31,230 per year (3.6% below the U.S. average of $32,390).
- 1,720 people work as Cooks Fast Food in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Cooks Fast Food jobs.
- Location quotient 0.91: Cooks Fast Food jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,410; the top 10% earn over $34,910.
- Hourly equivalent: $15.01 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $43,710.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($47,900).
Cooks Fast Food 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. Cooks Fast Food here earn $31,230 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $31,230 is roughly equivalent to $35,897 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($32,010), Virginia ($31,980), Nebraska ($31,910) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Fast Food 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $47,900/yr South Dakota +53.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,530/yr South Dakota +36.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,630/yr South Dakota +20.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,720/yr South Dakota +17.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,940/yr South Dakota +2.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,550/yr South Dakota +1.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,900/yr South Dakota 1.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $30,860/yr South Dakota 1.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Fast Food salary in South Dakota?
The average Cooks Fast Food salary in South Dakota is $31,230 per year (median $30,950), which is 3.6% below the national average of $32,390.
How does South Dakota rank for Cooks Fast Food pay?
South Dakota ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($43,710/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Fast Food make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Fast Food in South Dakota earn about $25,410 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,330.
How much do Cooks Fast Food make per hour in South Dakota?
About $15.01 per hour, based on the $31,230 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Fast Food work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 1,720 Cooks Fast Food jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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