Bartenders Salary in South Dakota
Bartenders in South Dakota have a median of $29,400 a year, below the national $34,340 (−14%); the state ranks 29th of 51 states by median. That is 38% less than the median across all occupations in South Dakota ($47,080). Among neighbouring states, Nebraska pays more (up to $30,180 in Nebraska) and North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and Iowa pay less (down to $21,720 in Iowa). South Dakota employs 3,930 bartenders, 8.60 per 1,000 jobs, the 37th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.77 means the occupation is more concentrated in South Dakota than nationally.
South Dakota vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| South Dakota | Hourly | $13.17 | $13.50 | $14.14 | $16.12 | $18.35 | $15.36 | 3,930 | 8.60 | 1.77 |
| Annual | $27,400 | $28,080 | $29,400 | $33,540 | $38,180 | $31,940 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $9.67 | $13.17 | $16.51 | $22.87 | $35.47 | $19.61 | 756,390 | – | – |
| Annual | $20,110 | $27,400 | $34,340 | $47,570 | $73,770 | $40,790 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 29th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 37th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.77
- Jobs per 1,000
- 8.60
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of South Dakota's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in South Dakota
3 metropolitan areas and 2 nonmetropolitan areas touching South Dakota publish a row for bartenders, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $14.51 | $30,180 | $27,960 | $41,960 | 1,260 | 7.07 | 1.45 |
| Rapid City, SD | $14.18 | $29,500 | $27,680 | $41,480 | 700 | 9.48 | 1.95 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $11.42 | $23,750 | $16,430 | $45,010 | 430 | 5.69 | 1.17 |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $13.80 | $28,710 | $27,040 | $36,150 | 790 | 12.60 | 2.59 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $13.75 | $28,600 | $27,040 | $36,850 | 1,150 | 8.65 | 1.78 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Bartenders (every state ranked) and the South Dakota wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS South Dakota estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.