SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — East South Dakota
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in East South Dakota, SD is $30,510 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in East South Dakota, SD is $30,510 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.6%. Half of workers earn between $28,140 and $35,360. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $26,790 and the ninetieth at $38,680.
The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.33 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Rapid City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,670. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 367th of 390 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,790 | −24.2% |
| 25th | $28,140 | −20.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,510 | −13.6% |
| 75th | $35,360 | +0.1% |
| 90th | $38,680 | +9.5% |
| Mean | $31,930 | −9.6% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $30,670 | 610 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $30,360 | 1,170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $30,510 goes as far as $34,436 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,436US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,510 a year, 13.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,790 to $38,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $30,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in East South Dakota, SD?
The median annual wage is $30,510, or $14.67 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 $35,320, so pay in East South Dakota, SD is 13.6% 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 $38,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,790 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 Rapid City, at $30,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,020 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.
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