How much does a cook make in Rapid City?
$36,870a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rapid City, SD metro area. That is $17.73 an hour or $3,073 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.73
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 190 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,290Median: $36,870Highest 10%: $46,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,290 | $15.04 | |
| 25th | $34,060 | $16.38 | |
| Median | $36,870 | $17.73 | |
| 75th | $40,870 | $19.65 | |
| 90th | $46,190 | $22.21 |
Other cities in South Dakota
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Sioux Falls, SD | $37,240 |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,030 |
Related jobs in Rapid City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $48,350 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,960 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Rapid City?
The median hourly pay in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $17.73 ($36,870 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rapid City than the national average?
No: $36,870 against $37,450 nationally, 2% less.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
The median in South Dakota is $36,730, so Rapid City pays 0% more.
Where does Rapid City rank for cook pay?
190 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Rapid City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,190 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.