Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Dakota
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota earn a median of $36,730 a year ($17.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,450. South Dakota ranks 29th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| 25th percentile | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Median | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 75th percentile | $40,980 | $19.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Average (mean) | $37,630 | $18.09 |
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 | $3,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,530.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,412.69 |
| Weekly | $706.35 |
| Hourly | $17.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,240 | 630 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Bartender | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,980 | $15.38 |
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 35-2012. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Dakota is $36,730 a year, or $17.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Dakota earn at least $45,650 a year. The top 25% earn $40,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,140 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $32,200 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in South Dakota?
About 2,120 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.