Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Idaho
Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho earn a median of $52,000 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,240 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $62,470. Idaho ranks 46th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 0.64 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $57,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 25th percentile | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Median | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Average (mean) | $57,390 | $27.59 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,166.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000 |
| Weekly | $1,000 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Idaho at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $65,030 | 80 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $51,220 | 40 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $48,670 | 40 |
| Boise City, ID | $47,500 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,940 | $13.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,050 | $14.45 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Bartender | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Dishwasher | $29,920 | $14.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,280 | $13.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,090 | $19.28 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Idaho?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Idaho is $52,000 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Idaho?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Idaho earn at least $83,240 a year. The top 25% earn $66,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,590 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $42,330 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Idaho?
About 550 chefs and head cooks are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.