Salaries › Chef › South Dakota
Chef Salary in South Dakota (2026)
$23.30 per hour · take-home ≈ $41,126/year ($3,427/month) for a single filer
South Dakota ranks 47th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 23% below the national average. Of the 300 Chef jobs BLS counts in South Dakota, the typical worker earns $48,470 a year — though pay ranges from $37,450 for newcomers to $57,820 at the top.
Chef pay range in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,450 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,650 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,470 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $51,870 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $57,820 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 300 Chef jobs in South Dakota (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Dakota
A median Chef salary of $48,470 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in South Dakota), a single filer keeps about $41,126 — an effective tax rate of 15.2%.
| Gross (median) | $48,470 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,636 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,708 |
| South Dakota state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $41,126 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,427 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Dakota paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in South Dakota?
- The median Chef salary in South Dakota is $48,470 per year ($23.30 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,650 and $51,870.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in South Dakota?
- On the median salary of $48,470, a single filer in South Dakota takes home about $41,126 per year ($3,427 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.2%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in South Dakota?
- BLS counts 300 Chef jobs in South Dakota in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in South Dakota
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified South Dakota state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for South Dakota.