Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $37,240 a year ($17.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $36,730. There are 3.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| 25th percentile | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Median | $37,240 | $17.91 |
| 75th percentile | $42,090 | $20.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Average (mean) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,103.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,551.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,432.31 |
| Weekly | $716.15 |
| Hourly | $17.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,830 | 4,490 |
| Rochester, MN | $43,160 | 330 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $41,120 | 450 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $40,590 | 300 |
| Mankato, MN | $40,410 | 150 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $40,300 | 530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $39,050 | 310 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $38,500 | 200 |
| Rapid City, SD | $36,870 | 260 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,030 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,920 | $14.38 |
| Bartender | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,420 | $20.39 |
| Dishwasher | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,650 | $14.74 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,150 | $15.94 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $37,240 a year, or $17.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $45,710 a year. The top 25% earn $42,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,160 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $32,710 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 630 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.