SOC 51-3093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders — Northwestern Idaho
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders reaches $58,480 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders reaches $58,480 a year. That is 40.6% more than the national median of $41,590. Pay ranges from under $38,600 at the tenth percentile to more than $71,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,350 to $71,710.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Twin Falls records the highest median at $46,010. Of the 288 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 123rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,600 | −7.2% |
| 25th | $44,350 | +6.6% |
| Median (50th) | $58,480 | +40.6% |
| 75th | $71,710 | +72.4% |
| 90th | $71,710 | +72.4% |
| Mean | $58,120 | +39.7% |
Other metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twin Falls | $46,010 | 130 | |
| 2 | Boise City | $45,120 | 360 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $58,480 goes as far as $61,236 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 47.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,236US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,480 a year, 40.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,600 to $71,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Twin Falls, at $46,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Northwestern Idaho, ID?
The median annual wage is $58,480, or $28.12 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 $41,590, so pay in Northwestern Idaho, ID is 40.6% 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID earns more than $71,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,600 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 Twin Falls, at $46,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 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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