SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Helena
Helena, MT · 4 metro areas compared
In Helena, MT the median wage is $28,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Helena, MT the median wage is $28,330. That is 9.2% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $22,680 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,560 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $24,020 to $34,140.
The area has 1,060 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.96 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $31,840. Of the 241 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 235th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,680 | −27.3% |
| 25th | $24,020 | −23.0% |
| Median (50th) | $28,330 | −9.2% |
| 75th | $34,140 | +9.4% |
| 90th | $36,560 | +17.2% |
| Mean | $29,200 | −6.4% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $31,840 | 1,870 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $30,510 | 2,160 | |
| 3 | Billings | $29,130 | 3,310 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $28,200 | 1,340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Helena run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $28,330 goes as far as $29,947 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,947US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,330 a year, 9.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,680 to $36,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,060 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $31,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Helena, MT?
The median annual wage is $28,330, or $13.62 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 $31,200, so pay in Helena, MT is 9.2% 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 Helena, MT earns more than $36,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,680 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 $31,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,060 jobs in this occupation in Helena, 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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