South Dakota Median
$29,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#25 of 51
15,150 employed here
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in South Dakota?
Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota take home a median of $29,490 annually — roughly $14.18 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $31,200.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $27,880 while the top 10% make $36,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,670 and $31,480 a year.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,880 | $13.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,670 | $13.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,490 | $14.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $31,480 | $15.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,380 | $17.49 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other states
California $42,280Washington $37,710District of Columbia $37,430Colorado $36,270Vermont $36,030Massachusetts $35,850Connecticut $35,380Hawaii $35,250New York $35,250Oregon $35,050Maine $34,710Arizona $34,230New Jersey $34,150Illinois $33,910Maryland $33,660Alaska $33,280Nevada $31,950New Hampshire $31,590Rhode Island $31,490Minnesota $31,370Delaware $31,300Missouri $30,390Virginia $30,110North Dakota $30,080Montana $29,090Florida $29,080Nebraska $29,000Idaho $28,940Michigan $28,930Indiana $28,790New Mexico $28,700Utah $28,670Wisconsin $28,600North Carolina $28,570Pennsylvania $28,570Ohio $28,430Iowa $28,390Wyoming $27,860Texas $27,740Kansas $27,580South Carolina $27,520Tennessee $27,470Kentucky $27,130Georgia $26,920Arkansas $26,250West Virginia $26,070Alabama $23,700Oklahoma $23,430Louisiana $22,800Mississippi $22,610
Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($29,490) 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers make in South Dakota?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in South Dakota is $29,490 per year, or about $14.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,880 at the entry level to $36,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 5% less than the national median of $31,200. South Dakota ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,490 a year. About 15,150 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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.