Bartenders Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $28,490 -15% vs national
Median hourly $13.70
10th percentile $26,790
90th percentile $44,270
Employed locally 590
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
in
Rapid City, SD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,790
    25th
    $27,660
    50th (median)
    $28,490
    75th
    $33,230
    90th
    $44,270

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 40% Median Bartenders salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bartenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $80,040
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,300
    Hawaii $68,820
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $65,480
    New York $60,750
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $59,390

    Nearby metros — Bartenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $29,230
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $24,960
    Gadsden, AL $20,460

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,220
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,140
    Food Preparation Workers$30,220
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,390
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,060
    Cooks, Short Order$31,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Rapid City, SD is $13.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.94 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Rapid City, SD is 15% below the national median of $33,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bartenders in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $26,790 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,660.