Montana ranks 25th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($48,260) by $11,570 — a 32% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $29,640 to $46,860 — a $17,220 spread, 20% tighter than the national $21,520 range.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are more concentrated in Montana than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.53 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.53× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| 75th percentile | $40,030 | $19.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| Mean (average) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
How Montana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana (current) | $36,690 | n/a |
| Washington | $48,260 | +32% |
| Hawaii | $47,250 | +29% |
| Alaska | $46,900 | +28% |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $45,870 | +25% |
| California | $45,680 | +25% |
| District of Columbia | $45,600 | +24% |
| Rhode Island | $45,450 | +24% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,640 | 1,110 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,780 | 640 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,830 | 8,170 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $36,910 | 1,670 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,060 | 580 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $37,150 | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Montana?
The mean cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Montana is $37,340 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,690 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Montana?
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) in Montana typically earn around $29,640 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $31,800 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Montana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Montana make approximately $46,860 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $40,030 per year.
How does the Montana Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Montana is $36,690, which is +1% above national average of $36,450.