Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,030
- 25th Percentile — Junior$27,910
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,990
- 75th Percentile — Senior$30,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$37,290
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota earn more than $28,990. The top 10% make $37,290 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,030.
Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 39th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $30,860 per year (23.0% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 7,350 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 1.10: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,030; the top 10% earn over $37,290.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.84 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in South Dakota, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($47,900).
Waiters and Waitresses 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. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $30,860 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $30,860 is roughly equivalent to $35,471 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wisconsin ($34,570), Alaska ($33,640), Indiana ($31,170) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses 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 +55.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,530/yr South Dakota +37.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,630/yr South Dakota +21.9% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,720/yr South Dakota +19.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,940/yr South Dakota +3.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,550/yr South Dakota +2.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,230/yr South Dakota +1.2% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,900/yr South Dakota +0.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Dakota?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Dakota is $30,860 per year (median $28,990), which is 23.0% below the national average of $40,060.
How does South Dakota rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
South Dakota ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota earn about $27,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $27,910.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in South Dakota?
About $14.84 per hour, based on the $30,860 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 7,350 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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