Food Preparation Worker salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Food Preparation Workers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $30,360 a year ($14.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,020 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $30,430. There are 6.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| 25th percentile | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Median | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| 75th percentile | $33,540 | $16.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Average (mean) | $31,900 | $15.34 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $2,530 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,265 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,167.69 |
| Weekly | $583.85 |
| Hourly | $14.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $36,590 | 550 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $35,650 | 270 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,470 | 790 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $35,100 | 16,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,900 | 660 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,010 | 1,050 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,540 | 890 |
| Mankato, MN | $33,440 | 390 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Rapid City, SD | $30,670 | 610 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,240 | $17.91 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $30,360 a year, or $14.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $39,020 a year. The top 25% earn $33,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,370 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,770 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 1,170 food preparation workers are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.