Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Idaho
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$33,590
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,330
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$66,930
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,240
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho earn more than $52,000. The top 10% make $83,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $33,590.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Idaho ranks 43rd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $57,390 per year (14.0% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 550 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho — 0.3% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.50: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Idaho than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,590; the top 10% earn over $83,240.
- Hourly equivalent: $27.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Idaho, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($42,400).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Idaho
Key factors affecting compensation
Idaho's key industries are Technology, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $57,390 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.93 (U.S. = 1.00), a Idaho salary of $57,390 is roughly equivalent to $61,710 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($60,330), Alaska ($59,430), Texas ($59,350) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Idaho
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,400/yr Idaho 26.1% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,970/yr Idaho 35.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $36,160/yr Idaho 37.0% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,320/yr Idaho 38.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,670/yr Idaho 43.1% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,060/yr Idaho 49.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,630/yr Idaho 50.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $27,800/yr Idaho 51.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Idaho?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Idaho is $57,390 per year (median $52,000), which is 14.0% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Idaho rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Idaho ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Idaho?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho earn about $33,590 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,330.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Idaho?
About $27.59 per hour, based on the $57,390 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Idaho?
BLS counts 550 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Idaho (OEWS May 2025).
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