Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Montana
Chefs and Head Cooks in Montana earn a median of $57,470 a year ($27.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,180 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $62,470. Montana ranks 39th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| 25th percentile | $48,890 | $23.51 |
| Median | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| 75th percentile | $72,020 | $34.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Average (mean) | $61,580 | $29.61 |
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 | $4,789.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,394.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,210.38 |
| Weekly | $1,105.19 |
| Hourly | $27.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $62,460 | 140 |
| Billings, MT | $60,200 | n/a |
| Helena, MT | $57,510 | 40 |
| Missoula, MT | $57,170 | 80 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.98 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,370 | $11.23 |
| Bartender | $26,010 | $12.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Dishwasher | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,770 | $12.87 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,640 | $20.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Montana is $57,470 a year, or $27.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Montana?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Montana earn at least $80,180 a year. The top 25% earn $72,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,200 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $48,890 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Montana?
About 720 chefs and head cooks are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.