Food Preparation Workers Salary in South Dakota
Food Preparation Workers in South Dakota have a median of $30,430 a year, below the national $35,320 (−14%); the state ranks 39th of 51 states by median. That is 35% less than the median across all occupations in South Dakota ($47,080). Among neighbouring states, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota and Montana pay more (up to $36,800 in North Dakota) and Iowa pays less (down to $30,360 in Iowa). South Dakota employs 3,270 food preparation workers, 7.14 per 1,000 jobs, the 43rd largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.24 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 | $12.75 | $13.55 | $14.63 | $16.42 | $18.55 | $15.21 | 3,270 | 7.15 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $26,510 | $28,170 | $30,430 | $34,140 | $38,580 | $31,630 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $12.41 | $14.40 | $16.98 | $18.53 | $21.80 | $16.96 | 893,600 | – | – |
| Annual | $25,810 | $29,950 | $35,320 | $38,550 | $45,340 | $35,290 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 39th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 43rd of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.24
- Jobs per 1,000
- 7.15
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 food preparation workers, 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 City, IA-NE-SD | $15.06 | $31,330 | $28,120 | $37,910 | 280 | 3.78 | 0.66 |
| Rapid City, SD | $14.75 | $30,670 | $25,710 | $38,790 | 610 | 8.21 | 1.43 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $14.60 | $30,360 | $27,370 | $39,020 | 1,170 | 6.53 | 1.14 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $14.67 | $30,510 | $26,790 | $38,680 | 1,020 | 7.64 | 1.33 |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $14.24 | $29,610 | $25,720 | $36,040 | 470 | 7.55 | 1.31 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (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.