Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Rapid City, SD

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

Median annual salary $46,660 -23.5% vs national
Median hourly $22.43
10th percentile $40,070
90th percentile $54,460
Employed locally 60
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Rapid City, SD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,070
    25th
    $44,260
    50th (median)
    $46,660
    75th
    $53,990
    90th
    $54,460

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 65% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $47,420
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $46,320

    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
    Bartenders $28,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,390
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Rapid City, SD is $22.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.00 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Rapid City, SD is 23.5% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $40,070 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,260.