Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Montana

In Montana, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $27.63 an hour ($57,470 a year). About 720 people work in this job there.

$27.63Median hourly pay
$48,890–$72,020Middle half of workers, yearly
720People in this job in Montana

That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Montana ranks 39th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Montana

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.36$38,200
25% of workers$23.51$48,890
Half of workers (median)$27.63$57,470
75% of workers$34.63$72,020
90% of workers$38.55$80,180

Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Montana metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Bozeman$62,460140
Billings$60,2000
Helena$57,51040
Missoula$57,17080

Montana unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Montana

JobMedian yearly pay
Cooks, Restaurant$38,060
Waiters and Waitresses$23,370
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44,010
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,150
Bakers$37,200
Food Service Managers$72,140

Other job titles for this job

Wedding Cake DesignerBanquet ChefBread and Pastry BakerCake FrosterCake IcerCake MakerCake MixerCertified Executive ChefCecChefChef De CuisineChef De Froid

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Source: 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.