Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Billings, MT
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $60,200 a year ($28.94 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,900 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 5% higher than the Montana statewide median of $57,470. The average (mean) salary is $62,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 25th percentile | $54,490 | $26.20 |
| Median | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| 75th percentile | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| Average (mean) | $62,930 | $30.26 |
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 | $5,016.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,508.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,315.38 |
| Weekly | $1,157.69 |
| Hourly | $28.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $62,460 | 140 |
| 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 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,940 | $11.03 |
| Bartender | $23,550 | $11.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| Dishwasher | $31,450 | $15.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,310 | $14.57 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Billings, MT
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 Billings, MT?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Billings, MT metro area is $60,200 a year, or $28.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $76,900 a year. The top 25% earn $73,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,870 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $54,490 or less.