SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Billings, MT

Cooks in Billings, Montana, earn an average annual salary of $37,620. This figure is remarkably close to the national average of $37,700, indicating a stable compensation landscape for this profession within the city. Local economic factors and the specific demand within Billings' culinary scene likely contribute to this near-parity with national wage trends.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $37,620 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $47,950.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks in Billings, MT, appears robust, with a total local workforce of 1,470 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.67 significantly exceeds the national average, suggesting a higher concentration of these roles in Billings compared to other areas. This elevated quotient points to a strong and potentially growing demand for restaurant cooks within the local economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$37,620

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Billings, MT earns-0.2%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$18.1

Weekly

$723

Monthly

$3,135

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Billings, MT

Salary progression for Cooks in Billings, MT, typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally fall at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive culinary expertise and leadership skills can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings highlight clear opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential as one moves from a junior to a senior cook role.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,500$13.7
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$28,215$13.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$36,510$17.6
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$47,025$22.6
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$47,950$23.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$37,620

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$37,620

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $37,620 in Billings, MT, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in Billings is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the take-home pay will cover essential expenses at a comparable rate to most other U.S. cities.

Job Market Context

1,470

Total Jobs

15.718

Per 1K Jobs

1.67

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Billings, MT has 1.7x the national concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 1.67, Billings, MT, demonstrates a significantly higher concentration of restaurant cook positions than the national average. This indicates that the job market for cooks is more abundant and potentially more competitive in Billings relative to the rest of the country. Such a concentration suggests a strong local industry presence and a steady demand for these culinary professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Billings, MT?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Billings, MT is $37,620. This typically ranges from $28,500 for entry-level positions to $47,950 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Billings, MT is 0.2% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Billings, MT a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Yes, Billings, MT offers a competitive environment for Cooks, Restaurants.The average salary is on par with the national average, and the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning your earnings will have standard purchasing power. Furthermore, the high location quotient suggests strong local demand for these roles.

Is Billings, MT a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Billings, MT is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the number of cooks in Billings compare nationally?

Billings has 15.718 jobs per 1,000 workers in this field, which is considerably higher than the national average, indicating a greater prevalence of cook positions locally.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient for cooks in Billings?

A Location Quotient of 1.67 means that Billings has 67% more cooks per capita than the national average, signaling a concentrated demand and potentially more job opportunities in this sector.

How does the cost of living in Billings affect a cook's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, a cook's salary of $37,620 in Billings has the same relative purchasing power as the national average salary across the country.

What is the total number of restaurant cooks employed in Billings?

There are approximately 1,470 individuals employed as restaurant cooks within the Billings, Montana, local workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,470 employees in the Billings, MT area with a job density of 15.718 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Billings, MT