SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Bozeman
Bozeman, MT · 4 metro areas compared
In Bozeman, MT the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $44,260 a year, which is 18.2% higher than the national figure of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Bozeman, MT the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is $44,260 a year, which is 18.2% higher than the national figure of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $35,190 and $51,740. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,610 and the ninetieth at $59,000.
The area has 280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.9 of every thousand jobs. Billings leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,700. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 243rd of 288 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,610 | −15.6% |
| 25th | $35,190 | −6.0% |
| Median (50th) | $44,260 | +18.2% |
| 75th | $51,740 | +38.2% |
| 90th | $59,000 | +57.5% |
| Mean | $44,150 | +17.9% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $37,700 | 290 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $37,270 | 200 | |
| 3 | Helena | $37,190 | 130 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $35,770 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Bozeman run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $44,260 goes as far as $46,786 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 24.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,786US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,260 a year, 18.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,610 to $59,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Billings, at $37,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Bozeman, MT?
The median annual wage is $44,260, or $21.28 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 $37,450, so pay in Bozeman, MT is 18.2% higher. 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 Bozeman, MT earns more than $59,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,610 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 Billings, at $37,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Bozeman, MT. 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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