How much does a waiter and waitress make in Rapid City?
$29,020a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Rapid City, SD metro area. That is $13.95 an hour or $2,418 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.95
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 246 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,530Median: $29,020Highest 10%: $40,640
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,530 | $13.24 | |
| 25th | $28,310 | $13.61 | |
| Median | $29,020 | $13.95 | |
| 75th | $33,160 | $15.94 | |
| 90th | $40,640 | $19.54 |
Other cities in South Dakota
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Sioux Falls, SD | $29,920 |
| Sioux City, IA | $26,430 |
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 | $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 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in Rapid City?
The median hourly pay in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $13.95 ($29,020 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Rapid City than the national average?
No: $29,020 against $35,230 nationally, 18% less.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
The median in South Dakota is $28,990, so Rapid City pays 0% more.
Where does Rapid City rank for waiter and waitress pay?
246 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Rapid City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,640 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.