Montana ranks 27th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, short order pay, trailing top-paying Arizona ($46,240) by $14,750 — a 47% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $28,940 to $39,260 — a $10,320 spread, 54% tighter than the national $22,240 range.
Cooks, Short Order are less concentrated in Montana than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.15 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 6.67× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,940 | $13.91 |
| 25th percentile | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,490 | $15.14 |
| 75th percentile | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Mean (average) | $32,930 | $15.83 |
How Montana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana (current) | $31,490 | n/a |
| Arizona | $46,240 | +47% |
| Washington | $46,010 | +46% |
| Massachusetts | $44,770 | +42% |
| Colorado | $44,090 | +40% |
| Hawaii | $41,100 | +31% |
| Alaska | $39,940 | +27% |
| Vermont | $39,140 | +24% |
| California | $39,010 | +24% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | $31,440 | 2,070 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $31,420 | 2,700 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $31,600 | 550 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,670 | 880 |
| Library Assistants, Clerical | $32,270 | 70 |
| Animal Caretakers | $32,290 | 1,150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Short Order salary in Montana?
The mean cooks, short order salary in Montana is $32,930 per year. The median (middle) salary is $31,490 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Montana?
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) in Montana typically earn around $28,940 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $30,970 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Short Order salary in Montana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Montana make approximately $39,260 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $36,130 per year.
How does the Montana Cooks, Short Order salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, short order salary in Montana is $31,490, which is -12% below national average of $35,620.