Cooks Restaurant Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,140
- 25th Percentile — Junior$33,040
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,220
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,910
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$44,990
Half of Cooks Restaurant in South Dakota earn more than $36,220. The top 10% make $44,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,140.
Cooks Restaurant in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 31st of 51 states for Cooks Restaurant pay, at $36,720 per year (5.2% below the U.S. average of $38,730).
- 1,890 people work as Cooks Restaurant in South Dakota — 0.1% of all U.S. Cooks Restaurant jobs.
- Location quotient 0.46: Cooks Restaurant jobs are less 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 $44,990.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.65 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $47,200.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($47,900).
Cooks Restaurant 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 Restaurant here earn $36,720 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $36,720 is roughly equivalent to $42,207 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($37,570), Utah ($37,340), Nebraska ($37,190) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Restaurant 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 +30.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,530/yr South Dakota +15.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,630/yr South Dakota +2.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,940/yr South Dakota 13.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,550/yr South Dakota 14.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,230/yr South Dakota 15.0% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,900/yr South Dakota 15.8% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $30,860/yr South Dakota 16.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Restaurant salary in South Dakota?
The average Cooks Restaurant salary in South Dakota is $36,720 per year (median $36,220), which is 5.2% below the national average of $38,730.
How does South Dakota rank for Cooks Restaurant pay?
South Dakota ranks 31st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($47,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Restaurant make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Restaurant in South Dakota earn about $30,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $33,040.
How much do Cooks Restaurant make per hour in South Dakota?
About $17.65 per hour, based on the $36,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Restaurant work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 1,890 Cooks Restaurant jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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