Waiters and Waitresses salary in Rapid City, SD
Waiters and Waitresses in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $29,020 a year ($13.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,640 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $28,990. There are 19 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,530 | $13.24 |
| 25th percentile | $28,310 | $13.61 |
| Median | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 75th percentile | $33,160 | $15.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| Average (mean) | $31,570 | $15.18 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $2,418.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,209.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,116.15 |
| Weekly | $558.08 |
| Hourly | $13.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $26,430 | 1,030 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,440 | $14.15 |
| Bartender | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,910 | $17.26 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,190 | $14.99 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Dishwasher | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,350 | $23.24 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $29,020 a year, or $13.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $40,640 a year. The top 25% earn $33,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,530 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $28,310 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Rapid City, SD?
About 1,430 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.