BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota

$37,630 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$18.09 per hour

▼ 3.0% below U.S. average28th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$37,630per year
Median$36,730per year
Hourly$18.09per hour
10th – 90th percentile$30,140 – $45,650per year

Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,140
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$32,200
  • 50th Percentile — Median$36,730
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$40,980
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,650

Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota earn more than $36,730. The top 10% make $45,650 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,140.

Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 28th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $37,630 per year (3.0% below the U.S. average of $38,810).
  • 2,120 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota — 0.5% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.63: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,140; the top 10% earn over $45,650.
  • Hourly equivalent: $18.09 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
  • Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($47,900).

Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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 Institution and Cafeteria here earn $37,630 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 $37,630 is roughly equivalent to $43,253 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($39,500), Illinois ($39,210), Montana ($38,950) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Dakota?

The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Dakota is $37,630 per year (median $36,730), which is 3.0% below the national average of $38,810.

How does South Dakota rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?

South Dakota ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota earn about $30,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,200.

How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in South Dakota?

About $18.09 per hour, based on the $37,630 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 2,120 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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