Cooks, Restaurant salary in Idaho
Cooks, Restaurant in Idaho earn a median of $36,440 a year ($17.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,020 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,390. Idaho ranks 33rd of 51 states for cooks, restaurant pay. There are 9.5 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,470 | $12.25 |
| 25th percentile | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| Median | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 75th percentile | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Average (mean) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
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 | $3,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,401.54 |
| Weekly | $700.77 |
| Hourly | $17.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $38,200 | 1,010 |
| Boise City, ID | $37,230 | 3,700 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,410 | 220 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $35,830 | 650 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $35,210 | 360 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $34,940 | 450 |
| Pocatello, ID | $34,920 | 330 |
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 |
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $40,090 | $19.28 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,940 | $13.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,050 | $14.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Bartender | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| Dishwasher | $29,920 | $14.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,280 | $13.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,000 | $25.00 |
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 35-2014. 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 Idaho?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in Idaho is $36,440 a year, or $17.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Idaho?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in Idaho earn at least $47,020 a year. The top 25% earn $42,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,470 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $29,850 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Idaho?
About 8,130 cooks, restaurant are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.