Cooks, Restaurant salary in Helena, MT
Cooks, Restaurant in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $38,030 a year ($18.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,740 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is about the same as the Montana statewide median of $38,060. There are 13 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Median | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| 75th percentile | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Average (mean) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
Half of cooks, restaurant 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 | $3,169.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,584.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,462.69 |
| Weekly | $731.35 |
| Hourly | $18.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $42,430 | 1,370 |
| Billings, MT | $38,260 | 1,370 |
| Missoula, MT | $38,080 | 1,020 |
| Great Falls, MT | $36,610 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, restaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
See Cooks, Restaurant pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Bartender | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Dishwasher | $29,750 | $14.30 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,510 | $27.65 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2014. 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, restaurant make in Helena, MT?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Helena, MT metro area is $38,030 a year, or $18.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $47,740 a year. The top 25% earn $43,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,650 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $35,640 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Helena, MT?
About 570 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.