Bartender salary in South Dakota
Bartenders in South Dakota earn a median of $29,400 a year ($14.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,180 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,340. South Dakota ranks 29th of 51 states for bartenders pay. There are 8.6 bartenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bartenders in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| 25th percentile | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Median | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| 75th percentile | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,180 | $18.35 |
| Average (mean) | $31,940 | $15.36 |
Half of bartenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,450 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,225 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,130.77 |
| Weekly | $565.38 |
| Hourly | $14.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bartender salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,180 | 1,260 |
| Rapid City, SD | $29,500 | 700 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $23,750 | 430 |
Highest-paying states for bartenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,490 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $55,830 |
| District of Columbia | $53,920 |
| Maine | $48,920 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| Vermont | $45,450 |
| Arizona | $45,070 |
| New Jersey | $44,020 |
| Oregon | $38,900 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,920 | $14.39 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Dishwasher | $28,190 | $13.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,470 | $23.30 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in South Dakota?
The median salary for bartenders in South Dakota is $29,400 a year, or $14.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bartenders make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of bartenders in South Dakota earn at least $38,180 a year. The top 25% earn $33,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for bartenders in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,400 a year, and a quarter of bartenders earn $28,080 or less.
How many bartenders work in South Dakota?
About 3,930 bartenders are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.