Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in South Dakota
Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota earn a median of $29,490 a year ($14.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $31,200. South Dakota ranks 25th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 33 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,880 | $13.41 |
| 25th percentile | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Median | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| 75th percentile | $31,480 | $15.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Average (mean) | $30,900 | $14.86 |
Half of fast food and counter workers 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 | $2,457.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,228.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,134.23 |
| Weekly | $567.12 |
| Hourly | $14.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,490 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.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,830 | 5,730 |
| Rapid City, SD | $29,440 | 2,860 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,090 | 2,060 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Bartender | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| 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 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in South Dakota?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in South Dakota is $29,490 a year, or $14.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in South Dakota earn at least $36,380 a year. The top 25% earn $31,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,880 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,670 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in South Dakota?
About 15,150 fast food and counter workers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.