SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Northwestern Idaho
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage is $49,970.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage is $49,970. That is 20.0% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $34,510 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,020 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,210 to $60,940.
Employment stands at 50, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Coeur d'Alene records the highest median at $65,030. Of the 288 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 158th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,510 | −44.8% |
| 25th | $39,210 | −37.2% |
| Median (50th) | $49,970 | −20.0% |
| 75th | $60,940 | −2.4% |
| 90th | $77,020 | +23.3% |
| Mean | $54,440 | −12.9% |
Other metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coeur d'Alene | $65,030 | 80 | |
| 2 | Idaho Falls | $48,670 | 40 | |
| 3 | Boise City | $47,500 | 270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $49,970 goes as far as $52,325 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,325US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,970 a year, 20.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,510 to $77,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Coeur d'Alene, at $65,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northwestern Idaho, ID?
The median annual wage is $49,970, or $24.02 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Northwestern Idaho, ID is 20.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwestern Idaho, ID earns more than $77,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,510 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Coeur d'Alene, at $65,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Idaho, ID. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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