Food Preparation Worker salary in South Dakota
Food Preparation Workers in South Dakota earn a median of $30,430 a year ($14.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,580 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. South Dakota ranks 39th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 7.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,170 | $13.55 |
| Median | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| 75th percentile | $34,140 | $16.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Average (mean) | $31,630 | $15.21 |
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 | $2,535.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,267.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,170.38 |
| Weekly | $585.19 |
| Hourly | $14.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Rapid City, SD | $30,670 | 610 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,360 | 1,170 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for food preparation workers in South Dakota is $30,430 a year, or $14.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in South Dakota earn at least $38,580 a year. The top 25% earn $34,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,510 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,170 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in South Dakota?
About 3,270 food preparation workers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.