South Dakota Median
$36,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#29 of 51
2,120 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in South Dakota?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota take home a median of $36,730 annually — roughly $17.66 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $37,450.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,140 while the top 10% make $45,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,200 and $40,980 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,140 | $14.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,200 | $15.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,730 | $17.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,980 | $19.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states
Washington $49,670Alaska $48,580Massachusetts $47,790Hawaii $47,770Rhode Island $46,570California $46,390Vermont $46,370Connecticut $46,120New York $45,880District of Columbia $45,450New Hampshire $45,370New Jersey $44,520Oregon $44,520Delaware $44,080Maine $43,490Minnesota $43,460Colorado $42,500Maryland $41,380Arizona $39,660North Dakota $39,490Nevada $39,430Wisconsin $38,650Utah $38,200Virginia $37,890Illinois $37,440Montana $37,150Wyoming $36,940Michigan $36,870Ohio $36,720Pennsylvania $36,540New Mexico $36,470Nebraska $36,390Florida $36,250North Carolina $36,140Indiana $35,980Iowa $35,810Idaho $35,600Tennessee $35,570Texas $35,360Georgia $35,090South Carolina $34,960Missouri $34,900Kansas $31,950Kentucky $31,550Arkansas $30,240West Virginia $29,740Oklahoma $29,270Mississippi $27,390Alabama $27,120Louisiana $25,490
Working as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota
Nationally, about 441,000 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($36,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in South Dakota?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in South Dakota is $36,730 per year, or about $17.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,140 at the entry level to $45,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 2% less than the national median of $37,450. South Dakota ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,730 a year. About 2,120 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.