Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Montana
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Montana earn a median of $37,150 a year ($17.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $37,450. Montana ranks 26th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,500 | $14.66 |
| 25th percentile | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Median | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 75th percentile | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Average (mean) | $38,950 | $18.73 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,095.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,547.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,428.85 |
| Weekly | $714.42 |
| Hourly | $17.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $44,260 | 280 |
| Billings, MT | $37,700 | 290 |
| Missoula, MT | $37,270 | 200 |
| Helena, MT | $37,190 | 130 |
| Great Falls, MT | $35,770 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,770 | $12.87 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $33,240 | $15.98 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,090 | $13.98 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,370 | $11.23 |
| Bartender | $26,010 | $12.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,470 | $27.63 |
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 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Montana?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Montana is $37,150 a year, or $17.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Montana?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Montana earn at least $50,600 a year. The top 25% earn $42,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,500 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $33,540 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Montana?
About 2,290 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.