SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — West South Dakota
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
At $45,010, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 27.9% beneath the national figure of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,010, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 27.9% beneath the national figure of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $32,130 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,480 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,510 to $56,130.
Employment stands at 60, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $50,150. Of the 281 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 181st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,130 | −48.6% |
| 25th | $36,510 | −41.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,010 | −27.9% |
| 75th | $56,130 | −10.1% |
| 90th | $62,480 | +0.0% |
| Mean | $47,450 | −24.0% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $50,150 | 120 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $48,350 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $45,010 goes as far as $50,801 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,801US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,010 a year, 27.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,130 to $62,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $50,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in West South Dakota, SD?
The median annual wage is $45,010, or $21.64 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in West South Dakota, SD is 27.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West South Dakota, SD earns more than $62,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,130 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux Falls, at $50,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in West South Dakota, SD. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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