Rapid City, SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Rapid City, SD

In the Rapid City, SD metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,500 ($17.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,300/year and the 90th was $45,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Dakota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,508 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Median Annual Salary

$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthly

10th Percentile$30,300$14.57/hr base

25th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base

75th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base

90th Percentile$45,300$21.78/hr base

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Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $36,000 a year leaves after tax in South DakotaFederal tax, FICA and South Dakota withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.

By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.

HousingWhat a $36,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.

Local pricesWhat $36,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.

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Explore annual salary:$36,500

$15,000$75,000

Filing status:

Gross salary breakdown$36,500

Net 86%

Fed 6%

FICA 8%

Annual take-home$31,508After all taxes

Monthly deposit$2,626Estimated per month

Biweekly paycheck$1,212Every 2 weeks (26/yr)

Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden

Federal income tax$2,200 / yr

South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0

FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,792 / yr

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Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Area
Earning Tier	Hourly Wage	Monthly Gross	Annual Gross	Est. Annual Net (SD)
10th Percentile	$14.57/hr	$2,525	$30,300	$26,526
25th Percentile	$16.01/hr	$2,775	$33,300	$28,937
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark	$17.55/hr	$3,042	$36,500	$31,508
75th Percentile	$18.85/hr	$3,267	$39,200	$33,677
90th Percentile	$21.78/hr	$3,775	$45,300	$38,579

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Rapid City, SD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,255Census Bureau ACS

BEA Price Parity Index89.210.8% below national average

Individual vs Household Ratio48.5%of area median income

Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Dakota:

Cooks, Restaurant Salaries Across South Dakota →Statewide wage percentiles, purchasing power and employment counts.
Cooks, Restaurant National 50-State Salary Map →Compare wages across all 50 states, rank highest-paying states, and view national employment.
South Dakota Wages by Occupation →Detailed salary distributions for over 700 occupations across South Dakota.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Calculator →Calculate your custom paycheck after federal, FICA, and South Dakota state withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Rapid City, SD

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD is $36,500, which equates to approximately $3,042 per month or $17.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.57/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.78/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Rapid City, SD span from $30,300 at the 10th percentile to $33,300 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $45,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Rapid City, SD?

On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $31,508 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,212 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Dakota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,992 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Rapid City, SD?

On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and South Dakota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,626 per month (or $1,212 every two weeks).

Is $36,500 a good salary in Rapid City, SD?

At $36,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 48.5% of the Rapid City, SD median household income ($75,255). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.2, making regional consumer goods and services 10.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.