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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Missoula, MT

Cooks in Missoula, Montana, earn an average annual salary of $38,370, slightly surpassing the national average of $37,700. This marginal advantage is often influenced by local economic factors and the specific demand within Missoula's vibrant culinary scene, which may necessitate higher compensation to attract and retain skilled kitchen professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $38,370 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 41.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $50,030.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,050 Cooks, Restaurant, and a Location Quotient of 1.67, Missoula demonstrates a notable concentration of these roles compared to the national landscape. This indicates a robust demand and a potentially stable job market for culinary professionals in the area, suggesting that opportunities are more abundant than the national average.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$38,370

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Missoula, MT earns+1.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$18.5

Weekly

$738

Monthly

$3,198

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Missoula, MT

Career progression for Cooks in Missoula typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs with specialized skills and leadership capabilities can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution. These percentile gaps highlight the tangible rewards of career advancement in the culinary field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,660$13.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$28,778$13.8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$37,080$17.8
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$47,963$23.1
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$50,030$24.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$38,370

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$38,370

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $38,370 in Missoula aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services in Missoula is neither significantly higher nor lower than the typical American city.

Job Market Context

1,050

Total Jobs

15.736

Per 1K Jobs

1.67

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Missoula, 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.

A Location Quotient of 1.67 signifies that Missoula has a significantly higher concentration of Cooks, Restaurant, jobs relative to its overall workforce compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive market where employers may need to offer attractive compensation and benefits to secure talent, and where job seekers may find a greater number of available positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Helena, MT Cooks, Restaurant Salary$37,010↓ 4%97 mi

Comparing salaries near Missoula, MT

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Missoula, MT is $38,370. This typically ranges from $28,660 for entry-level positions to $50,030 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Missoula, MT is 1.8% higher than the national median of $37,700.

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

Yes, moderately so.Missoula offers a salary slightly above the national average, and with a cost of living at the national average, your earnings maintain good purchasing power. The high concentration of these roles also suggests strong local demand.

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

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

Where are the highest paying cities near Missoula, MT?

Some top paying nearby cities include Helena, MT ($37,010) and others.

How does the Missoula salary compare to the national average?

Cooks in Missoula earn an average of $38,370 annually, which is slightly higher than the national average of $37,700.

What is the job market like for Cooks in Missoula?

The job market is robust, indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.67, meaning there's a higher concentration of these jobs in Missoula compared to the national average, suggesting strong demand.

Does the cost of living affect the value of a Cook's salary in Missoula?

No, the cost of living in Missoula is at the national average (100), meaning the $38,370 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

How many Cooks, Restaurant jobs are there per 1,000 workers in Missoula?

There are approximately 15.74 Cooks, Restaurant jobs for every 1,000 workers in Missoula.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,050 employees in the Missoula, MT area with a job density of 15.736 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 Missoula, MT