Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Idaho
In Idaho, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $25.00 an hour ($52,000 a year). About 550 people work in this job there.
That is 17% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Idaho ranks 46th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Idaho
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.15 | $33,590 |
| 25% of workers | $20.35 | $42,330 |
| Half of workers (median) | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| 75% of workers | $32.18 | $66,930 |
| 90% of workers | $40.02 | $83,240 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Idaho metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | $65,030 | 80 |
| Idaho Falls | $48,670 | 40 |
| Boise City | $47,500 | 270 |
Idaho unemployment rate: 3.6% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,050 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,440 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,190 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,600 |
| Bakers | $34,060 |
| Food Batchmakers | $49,570 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,140 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.