SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Northwestern Idaho
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage is $29,310.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwestern Idaho, ID the median wage is $29,310. That is 17.0% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $21,320 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $26,620 to $35,600.
Employment stands at 520, or 6.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Coeur d'Alene records the highest median at $36,830. Of the 288 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 279th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,320 | −39.6% |
| 25th | $26,620 | −24.6% |
| Median (50th) | $29,310 | −17.0% |
| 75th | $35,600 | +0.8% |
| 90th | $36,420 | +3.1% |
| Mean | $30,300 | −14.2% |
Other 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 Northwestern Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $29,310 goes as far as $30,691 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,691US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,310 a year, 17.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,320 to $36,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 jobs in 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID?
The median annual wage is $29,310, or $14.09 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID is 17.0% 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID earns more than $36,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,320 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 520 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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