Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
South Dakota employs 2,120 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals, below the national average concentration.
Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Dakota employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19
The location quotient (LQ) of 0.25 indicates that South Dakota has a below-average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals. This may suggest fewer local opportunities compared to other states, though national trends should also be considered.
Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.
The average annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota is $37,630. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.
South Dakota employs approximately 2,120 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks South Dakota for this occupation nationwide.
South Dakota has average or below-average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs (LQ: 0.25). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.
The average (mean) salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in South Dakota is $37630/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.
Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.
The top state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria employment is California with 31,660 jobs.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for South Dakota's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at South Dakota's leading institutions.
Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.
Drill deeper into Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay, hiring, and education data for South Dakota.
Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (SOC 352012) in South Dakota.