Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Sioux Falls, SD
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median $37,240 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,102 take-home, or $2,675 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Sioux Falls, SD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,289
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,309
- Medicare (1.45%)$540
- South Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,102
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro spans South Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Sioux Falls, SD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,160 | $14.50 | $26,414 | $2,201 |
| 25th percentile | $32,710 | $15.73 | $28,462 | $2,372 |
| Median (50th) | $37,240 | $17.90 | $32,102 | $2,675 |
| 75th percentile | $42,090 | $20.24 | $35,999 | $3,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,710 | $21.98 | $38,908 | $3,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,240 buys in Sioux Falls, SD
Prices in Sioux Falls, SD are 9.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 22% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $32,102 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,421 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sioux Falls, SD has 1.2× the national concentration of cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Sioux Falls, SD ranks #26 of 165 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | Springfield, MA | $46,440 | $37,393 | $38,926 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $48,290 | $40,981 | $38,874 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $41,120 | $35,220 | $38,758 |
| 5 | Burlington, VT | $47,390 | $39,104 | $38,737 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $45,330 | $38,603 | $38,470 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $46,350 | $38,301 | $37,634 |
| 26 | Sioux Falls, SD | $37,240 | $32,102 | $35,421 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 165 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Sioux Falls, SD?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $37,240 a year, or about $17.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,710 and $42,090.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Sioux Falls, SD?
On the median $37,240 salary, a single filer living in South Dakota takes home about $32,102 a year ($2,675 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Sioux Falls, SD a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 9.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,421 would in a typical U.S. city. Sioux Falls, SD ranks #26 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Sioux Falls, SD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sioux Falls, SD is $978 a month ($1,150 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sioux Falls, SD
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,420
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,310
- Cooks, Short Order — $35,570
- Cooks, Fast Food — $32,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $30,360
- Bartender — $30,180
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $30,150
- Waiter and Waitress — $29,920
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,830