SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Idaho
Idaho · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Idaho is $31,510 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 10.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Idaho is $31,510 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 10.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,530 and $36,850. The lowest tenth earn under $22,150, while the highest tenth earn more than $40,260.
The area has 4,670 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.4 of every thousand jobs. Idaho ranks number 34th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Coeur d'Alene records the highest median at $36,830. Of the 617 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 600th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,150 | −37.3% |
| 25th | $27,530 | −22.1% |
| Median (50th) | $31,510 | −10.8% |
| 75th | $36,850 | +4.3% |
| 90th | $40,260 | +14.0% |
| Mean | $32,380 | −8.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coeur d'Alene | $36,830 | 480 | |
| 2 | Lewiston | $35,780 | 170 | |
| 3 | Boise City | $35,340 | 1,830 | |
| 4 | Idaho Falls | $30,490 | 400 | |
| 5 | Twin Falls | $29,960 | 290 | |
| 6 | Pocatello | $29,290 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $31,510 goes as far as $32,995 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,995US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,510 a year, 10.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,150 to $40,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,670 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Coeur d'Alene, at $36,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Idaho?
The median annual wage is $31,510, or $15.15 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 $35,320, so pay in Idaho is 10.8% 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 Idaho earns more than $40,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,150 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 Coeur d'Alene, at $36,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,670 jobs in this occupation in Idaho. 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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