Food Preparation Worker salary in Montana
Food Preparation Workers in Montana earn a median of $33,860 a year ($16.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,410 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $35,320. Montana ranks 29th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,700, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,000 | $12.50 |
| 25th percentile | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Median | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 75th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Average (mean) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
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 | $2,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,302.31 |
| Weekly | $651.15 |
| Hourly | $16.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $38,260 | 480 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Montana?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Montana is $33,860 a year, or $16.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Montana?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Montana earn at least $43,410 a year. The top 25% earn $37,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,000 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $28,710 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Montana?
About 2,990 food preparation workers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.