South Dakota ranks 46th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $34,690 — a 75% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $37,640 to $55,390 — a $17,750 spread, 70% tighter than the national $60,030 range.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.54 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.85× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $37,640 | $18.10 |
| 25th percentile | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| 75th percentile | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| Mean (average) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $46,510 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +75% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +70% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +65% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +59% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +53% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +50% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +50% |
| California | $66,780 | +44% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenters | $46,500 | 4,440 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | 1,090 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $46,420 | 3,330 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,600 | 670 |
| Travel Agents | $46,610 | 180 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $46,350 | 1,380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Dakota?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in South Dakota is $47,900 per year. The median (middle) salary is $46,510 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in South Dakota?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $37,640 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $43,680 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $55,390 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $53,990 per year.
How does the South Dakota Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in South Dakota is $46,510, which is -24% below national average of $60,990.