Fast Food and Counter Worker Salary in Rapid City, SD
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median $29,440 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,835 take-home, or $2,153 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fast food and counter worker salary in Rapid City, SD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,353
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,825
- Medicare (1.45%)$427
- South Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$25,835
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fast Food and Counter Worker pay by experience in Rapid City, SD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,850 | $13.39 | $24,544 | $2,045 |
| 25th percentile | $28,650 | $13.77 | $25,200 | $2,100 |
| Median (50th) | $29,440 | $14.15 | $25,835 | $2,153 |
| 75th percentile | $30,820 | $14.82 | $26,944 | $2,245 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,400 | $17.50 | $31,427 | $2,619 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,440 buys in Rapid City, SD
Prices in Rapid City, SD are 10.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fast food and counter worker's $25,835 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,976 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rapid City, SD has 1.6× the national concentration of fast food and counter worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for fast food and counter workers, adjusted for cost of living
Rapid City, SD ranks #43 of 241 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modesto, CA | $42,630 | $35,184 | $33,796 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $44,110 | $36,295 | $33,458 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $43,610 | $35,920 | $33,326 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $44,570 | $36,640 | $33,182 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $42,860 | $35,357 | $33,146 |
| 6 | Stockton, CA | $41,740 | $34,517 | $32,845 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $42,280 | $34,922 | $32,808 |
| 8 | Salinas, CA | $43,260 | $35,657 | $32,701 |
| 43 | Rapid City, SD | $29,440 | $25,835 | $28,976 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 241 metros →
About the job: fast food and counter workers
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages. Counter attendants who also wait tables are included in "Waiters and Waitresses" (35-3031),
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Fast Food and Counter Worker salaries elsewhere in South Dakota
- Sioux Falls, SD — $29,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter worker make in Rapid City, SD?
The median fast food and counter worker salary in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $29,440 a year, or about $14.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,650 and $30,820.
What is a fast food and counter worker’s take-home pay in Rapid City, SD?
On the median $29,440 salary, a single filer living in South Dakota takes home about $25,835 a year ($2,153 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to work as a fast food and counter worker?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $31,200. Local prices are 10.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,976 would in a typical U.S. city. Rapid City, SD ranks #43 of 241 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fast food and counter worker afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rapid City, SD is $1,001 a month ($1,314 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median fast food and counter worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.