Food Preparation Worker salary in Bozeman, MT
Food Preparation Workers in the Bozeman, MT metro area earn a median of $38,260 a year ($18.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,280 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 13% higher than the Montana statewide median of $33,860. There are 6.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,080, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Bozeman, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 25th percentile | $31,820 | $15.30 |
| Median | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 75th percentile | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Average (mean) | $38,080 | $18.31 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $3,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,594.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,471.54 |
| Weekly | $735.77 |
| Hourly | $18.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $35,020 | 380 |
| Helena, MT | $34,960 | 210 |
| Billings, MT | $34,590 | 580 |
| Great Falls, MT | $30,490 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bozeman, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,840 | $13.87 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Bartender | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Dishwasher | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,210 | $18.37 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bozeman, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Bozeman, MT?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Bozeman, MT metro area is $38,260 a year, or $18.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Bozeman, MT?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Bozeman, MT metro area earn at least $48,280 a year. The top 25% earn $42,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Bozeman, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,170 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $31,820 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Bozeman, MT?
About 480 food preparation workers are employed in the Bozeman, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.