South Dakota Median
$39,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#26 of 41
120 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Dakota?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $39,270 per year, or about $18.88 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $41,590 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $31,280 while the top 10% make $48,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,050 and $42,860 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,280 | $15.04 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $33,050 | $15.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,270 | $18.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,860 | $20.61 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,890 | $23.50 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 26th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Colorado $46,900Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Tennessee $45,620Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440South Carolina $38,220Maine $37,500New Jersey $37,180Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Virginia $35,140Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in South Dakota
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($39,270) 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 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in South Dakota?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in South Dakota is $39,270 per year, or about $18.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,280 at the entry level to $48,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 6% less than the national median of $41,590. South Dakota ranks 26th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,270 a year. About 120 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders 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 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders 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.