Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,890
- 50th Percentile — Median$57,470
- 75th Percentile — Senior$72,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$80,180
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Montana earn more than $57,470. The top 10% make $80,180 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,200.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 35th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $61,580 per year (7.7% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 720 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Montana — 0.4% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.09: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,200; the top 10% earn over $80,180.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Montana, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($46,280).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $61,580 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $61,580 is roughly equivalent to $64,821 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alabama ($63,720), Illinois ($62,810), Michigan ($62,460) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $46,280/yr Montana 24.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $38,980/yr Montana 36.7% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $38,950/yr Montana 36.7% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $30,260/yr Montana 50.9% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,120/yr Montana 51.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,340/yr Montana 52.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,180/yr Montana 52.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $27,210/yr Montana 55.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Montana?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Montana is $61,580 per year (median $57,470), which is 7.7% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Montana rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Montana ranks 35th 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 Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Montana earn about $38,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,890.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Montana?
About $29.61 per hour, based on the $61,580 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Montana?
BLS counts 720 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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