Food Preparation Workers Salary in Rapid City, SD

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

Median annual salary $30,220 -11.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.53
10th percentile $25,600
90th percentile $36,290
Employed locally 620
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Rapid City, SD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,600
    25th
    $28,110
    50th (median)
    $30,220
    75th
    $32,780
    90th
    $36,290

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 42% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $30,300
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $29,510
    Gadsden, AL $22,610

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,220
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,140
    Bartenders $28,490
    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 Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Rapid City, SD is $14.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.65 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Rapid City, SD is 11.7% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $25,600 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,110.