Food Preparation Workers Salary in Montana
Food Preparation Workers in Montana have a median of $33,860 a year, below the national $35,320 (−4%); the state ranks 29th of 51 states by median. That is 31% less than the median across all occupations in Montana ($48,740). Among neighbouring states, North Dakota and Wyoming pay more (up to $36,800 in North Dakota) and Idaho and South Dakota pay less (down to $30,430 in South Dakota). Montana employs 2,990 food preparation workers, 5.85 per 1,000 jobs, the 44th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.02 is close to the national share.
Montana vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Montana | Hourly | $12.50 | $13.80 | $16.28 | $17.84 | $20.87 | $16.20 | 2,990 | 5.85 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $26,000 | $28,710 | $33,860 | $37,110 | $43,410 | $33,700 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $12.41 | $14.40 | $16.98 | $18.53 | $21.80 | $16.96 | 893,600 | – | – |
| Annual | $25,810 | $29,950 | $35,320 | $38,550 | $45,340 | $35,290 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 29th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 44th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.02
- Jobs per 1,000
- 5.85
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Montana's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Montana
5 metropolitan areas and 3 nonmetropolitan areas touching Montana publish a row for food preparation workers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $18.39 | $38,260 | $29,170 | $48,280 | 480 | 6.66 | 1.16 |
| Missoula, MT | $16.84 | $35,020 | $26,700 | $43,680 | 380 | 5.67 | 0.99 |
| Helena, MT | $16.81 | $34,960 | $24,020 | $41,290 | 210 | 4.82 | 0.84 |
| Billings, MT | $16.63 | $34,590 | $25,470 | $44,300 | 580 | 6.17 | 1.07 |
| Great Falls, MT | $14.66 | $30,490 | $24,960 | $36,790 | 250 | 6.75 | 1.18 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $16.52 | $34,360 | $26,360 | $42,860 | 220 | 5.52 | 0.96 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $14.90 | $31,000 | $24,230 | $37,300 | 360 | 6.00 | 1.04 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $14.90 | $31,000 | $24,230 | $38,570 | 500 | 5.94 | 1.03 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $16.28 | $33,860 | 2,990 | 1.02 |
| Idaho | $15.15 | $31,510 | 4,670 | 0.95 |
| North Dakota | $17.69 | $36,800 | 980 | 0.40 |
| South Dakota | $14.63 | $30,430 | 3,270 | 1.24 |
| Wyoming | $17.36 | $36,110 | 1,620 | 1.00 |
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Montana wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Montana estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.