Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Waiters and Waitresses actually take home in South Dakota?
No state income tax — 12.8% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Waiters and Waitresses earning $28,990 in South Dakota (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $28,990 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$1,494 | 5.2% |
| South Dakota State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$1,797 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$420 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$3,712 | 12.8% |
| Take-Home Pay | $25,277 | 87.2% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $27,030 | -$3,327 | $23,702 | 12.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $27,910 | -$3,500 | $24,409 | 12.5% |
| Median (P50) | $28,990 | -$3,712 | $25,277 | 12.8% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $30,640 | -$4,036 | $26,603 | 13.2% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $37,290 | -$5,343 | $31,946 | 14.3% |
South Dakota has no state income tax, which means a Waiters and Waitresses keeps $25,277 of their $28,990 salary — 87.2% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making South Dakota one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota faces an effective total tax rate of only 12.8%, keeping 87.2% of every gross dollar. That leaves $25,277 net out of $28,990 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
South Dakota is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Waiters and Waitresses, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal tax on this Waiters and Waitresses salary is $1,495 (40%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($2,218, 60%) make up the other 60% of the bill.
South Dakota ranks #31 of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $25,277 net/year works out to $2,106/month or $972/bi-weekly for this Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Waiters and Waitresses keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
South Dakota ranks #31 out of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses after-tax take-home pay.
A Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota earning a median salary of $28,990 will take home approximately $25,277 per year after federal income tax ($1,494), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($2,217). That is $2,106 per month or $972 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota is 12.8%, broken down as: federal income tax 5.2%, South Dakota state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, South Dakota does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 12.8%.
After all taxes, a Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota takes home approximately $2,106 per month, or about $12.15 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $28,990 for Waiters and Waitresses in South Dakota, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), South Dakota state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $25,277/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR