SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — East-Central Montana
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East-Central Montana, MT is $37,010 per year, close to the national median of $37,390 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East-Central Montana, MT is $37,010 per year, close to the national median of $37,390 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $30,410 and $43,180. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,960 and the ninetieth at $47,210.
The area has 680 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 11.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $42,430. Of the 260 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 218th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,960 | −38.6% |
| 25th | $30,410 | −18.7% |
| Median (50th) | $37,010 | −1.0% |
| 75th | $43,180 | +15.5% |
| 90th | $47,210 | +26.3% |
| Mean | $37,220 | −0.5% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $42,430 | 1,370 | |
| 2 | Billings | $38,260 | 1,370 | |
| 3 | Missoula | $38,080 | 1,020 | |
| 4 | Helena | $38,030 | 570 | |
| 5 | Great Falls | $36,610 | 490 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East-Central Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $37,010 goes as far as $39,123 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,123US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,010 a year, 1.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,960 to $47,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 680 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $42,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East-Central Montana, MT?
The median annual wage is $37,010, or $17.80 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 $37,390, so pay in East-Central Montana, MT is 1.0% 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 East-Central Montana, MT earns more than $47,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,960 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 Bozeman, at $42,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 680 jobs in this occupation in East-Central Montana, 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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