Cooks, Fast Food salary in Rapid City, SD
Cooks, Fast Food in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $31,190 a year ($14.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,690 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $30,950. There are 4.3 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,300, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 25th percentile | $27,510 | $13.22 |
| Median | $31,190 | $14.99 |
| 75th percentile | $33,660 | $16.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Average (mean) | $30,300 | $14.57 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,299.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,199.62 |
| Weekly | $599.81 |
| Hourly | $14.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $32,970 | 740 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $28,390 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,910 | $17.26 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,440 | $14.15 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Bartender | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| Dishwasher | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,350 | $23.24 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $31,190 a year, or $14.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $34,690 a year. The top 25% earn $33,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,960 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $27,510 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Rapid City, SD?
About 320 cooks, fast food are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.