How much does a chef and head cook make in Rapid City?
$48,350a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Rapid City, SD metro area. That is $23.25 an hour or $4,029 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.25
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 288 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,150Median: $48,350Highest 10%: $56,150
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,150 | $18.34 | |
| 25th | $43,680 | $21.00 | |
| Median | $48,350 | $23.25 | |
| 75th | $49,940 | $24.01 | |
| 90th | $56,150 | $27.00 |
Other cities in South Dakota
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Sioux Falls, SD | $50,150 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,590 |
Related jobs in Rapid City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,960 |
| Cook | $36,870 |
| Cook | $35,910 |
| Cook | $32,670 |
| Cook | $31,190 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,670 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,570 |
| Host and Hostess | $30,310 |
| Bartender | $29,500 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,440 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Rapid City?
The median hourly pay in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $23.25 ($48,350 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Rapid City than the national average?
No: $48,350 against $62,470 nationally, 23% less.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
The median in South Dakota is $48,470, so Rapid City pays 0% more.
Where does Rapid City rank for chef and head cook pay?
288 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Rapid City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,150 or less a year; the top 10% make $56,150 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.