SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — East South Dakota
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East South Dakota, SD is $36,760 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East South Dakota, SD is $36,760 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $29,910 at the tenth percentile to more than $44,480 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $33,240 to $40,450.
Employment stands at 710, or 5.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Sioux Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,240. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 343rd of 390 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,910 | −20.1% |
| 25th | $33,240 | −11.2% |
| Median (50th) | $36,760 | −1.8% |
| 75th | $40,450 | +8.0% |
| 90th | $44,480 | +18.8% |
| Mean | $37,240 | −0.6% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $37,240 | 630 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $36,870 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $36,760 goes as far as $41,490 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,490US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,760 a year, 1.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,910 to $44,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 710 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $37,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East South Dakota, SD?
The median annual wage is $36,760, or $17.67 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 $37,450, so pay in East South Dakota, SD is 1.8% 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 East South Dakota, SD earns more than $44,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,910 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 $37,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 710 jobs in this occupation in East 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.
Explore related data