South Dakota ranks 22nd of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, fast food pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($40,300) by $9,660 — a 32% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $28,660 to $36,530 — a $7,870 spread, 53% tighter than the national $16,610 range.
Cooks, Fast Food are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.62 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.61× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| 25th percentile | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| 75th percentile | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Mean (average) | $31,520 | $15.15 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $30,640 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $40,300 | +32% |
| District of Columbia | $38,350 | +25% |
| New Hampshire | $37,220 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $37,100 | +21% |
| Vermont | $37,050 | +21% |
| Oregon | $37,020 | +21% |
| Washington | $36,800 | +20% |
| California | $36,410 | +19% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Orderlies | $30,690 | 100 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $30,450 | 530 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,920 | 100 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,160 | 2,060 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $31,420 | 2,660 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,850 | 530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Dakota?
The mean cooks, fast food salary in South Dakota is $31,520 per year. The median (middle) salary is $30,640 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in South Dakota?
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $28,660 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $29,220 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $36,530 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $33,800 per year.
How does the South Dakota Cooks, Fast Food salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, fast food salary in South Dakota is $30,640, which is +2% above national average of $30,160.