Cooks, Short Order salary in Montana
Cooks, Short Order in Montana earn a median of $33,240 a year ($15.98 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $29,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,310 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,880. Montana ranks 28th of 49 states for cooks, short order pay. The average (mean) salary is $33,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| 25th percentile | $32,560 | $15.65 |
| Median | $33,240 | $15.98 |
| 75th percentile | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Average (mean) | $33,420 | $16.07 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,770 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,385 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,278.46 |
| Weekly | $639.23 |
| Hourly | $15.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $32,370 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,770 | $12.87 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| 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 35-2015. 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, short order make in Montana?
The median salary for cooks, short order in Montana is $33,240 a year, or $15.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Montana?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in Montana earn at least $36,310 a year. The top 25% earn $33,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,890 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $32,560 or less.