SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — Montana
Montana · 4 metro areas compared
In Montana the median wage is $27,510.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Montana the median wage is $27,510. That is 19.0% lower than the national median of $33,980. Pay ranges from under $21,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $38,350 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,530 to $34,830.
The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.64 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 36th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Billings records the highest median at $26,180. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 596th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,950 | −35.4% |
| 25th | $22,530 | −33.7% |
| Median (50th) | $27,510 | −19.0% |
| 75th | $34,830 | +2.5% |
| 90th | $38,350 | +12.9% |
| Mean | $29,340 | −13.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $26,180 | 290 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $23,600 | 180 | |
| 3 | Helena | $23,150 | 90 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $22,990 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $27,510 goes as far as $29,080 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,080US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,510 a year, 19.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,950 to $38,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Billings, at $26,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Montana?
The median annual wage is $27,510, or $13.23 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 $33,980, so pay in Montana is 19.0% 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 Montana earns more than $38,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,950 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 $26,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,150 jobs in this occupation in Montana. 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.
Explore related data