Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in South Dakota
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in South Dakota earn a median of $31,980 a year ($15.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,070 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,360. South Dakota ranks 32nd of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay. There are 0.35 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $32,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,810 | $12.89 |
| 25th percentile | $28,900 | $13.89 |
| Median | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| 75th percentile | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,070 | $20.71 |
| Average (mean) | $32,870 | $15.80 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant 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 | $2,665 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,332.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,230 |
| Weekly | $615 |
| Hourly | $15.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,980 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.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $33,150 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,290 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Bartender | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,920 | $14.39 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,380 | $15.57 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Dishwasher | $28,190 | $13.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,470 | $23.30 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3041. 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 food servers, nonrestaurant make in South Dakota?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in South Dakota is $31,980 a year, or $15.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in South Dakota earn at least $43,070 a year. The top 25% earn $33,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,810 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $28,900 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in South Dakota?
About 160 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.