Waiters and Waitresses salary in South Dakota
Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota earn a median of $28,990 a year ($13.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,290 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,230. South Dakota ranks 35th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 16 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,030 | $13.00 |
| 25th percentile | $27,910 | $13.42 |
| Median | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| 75th percentile | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Average (mean) | $30,860 | $14.84 |
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 | $2,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,207.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,115 |
| Weekly | $557.50 |
| Hourly | $13.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $29,920 | 2,550 |
| Rapid City, SD | $29,020 | 1,430 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in South Dakota is $28,990 a year, or $13.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in South Dakota earn at least $37,290 a year. The top 25% earn $30,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,030 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $27,910 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in South Dakota?
About 7,350 waiters and waitresses are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.