Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,880
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,670
- 50th Percentile — Median$29,490
- 75th Percentile — Senior$31,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$36,380
Half of Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota earn more than $29,490. The top 10% make $36,380 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,880.
Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 27th of 51 states for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay, at $30,900 per year (3.9% below the U.S. average of $32,150).
- 15,150 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota — 0.4% of all U.S. Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.34: Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,880; the top 10% earn over $36,380.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.86 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $41,680.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($47,900).
Fast Food and Counter Workers 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. Fast Food and Counter Workers here earn $30,900 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $30,900 is roughly equivalent to $35,517 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($31,930), North Dakota ($31,260), Florida ($30,940) are the closest alternatives for Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 +55.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,530/yr South Dakota +37.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,630/yr South Dakota +21.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,720/yr South Dakota +18.8% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,940/yr South Dakota +3.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,550/yr South Dakota +2.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,230/yr South Dakota +1.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $30,860/yr South Dakota 0.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in South Dakota?
The average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in South Dakota is $30,900 per year (median $29,490), which is 3.9% below the national average of $32,150.
How does South Dakota rank for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay?
South Dakota ranks 27th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($41,680/yr).
How much do entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota earn about $27,880 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,670.
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $14.86 per hour, based on the $30,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 15,150 Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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