Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Rapid City, SD

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

Median annual salary $29,140 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.01
10th percentile $25,700
90th percentile $39,110
Employed locally 1,320
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Rapid City, SD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,700
    25th
    $27,520
    50th (median)
    $29,140
    75th
    $33,200
    90th
    $39,110

    Rapid City economic context

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

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $30,230
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $26,640
    Gadsden, AL $21,460

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,220
    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
    Cooks, Short Order $31,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Rapid City, SD is $14.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.54 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Rapid City, SD is 13.7% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $25,700 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,520.