Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
Cooks in the Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $37,500. This figure is remarkably close to the national average of $37,700, indicating a stable compensation landscape. The unique economic drivers and specific labor demands within this region likely contribute to this parity, despite its nonmetropolitan status.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $37,500 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $49,570.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 770 individuals in this role, Southwest Montana presents a substantial employment base for cooks. The Location Quotient of 2.12 significantly exceeds the national average, suggesting a higher concentration of these jobs relative to the general workforce. This indicates a robust demand and a potentially strong job market for restaurant cooks in the area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area earns-0.5%below the national average.
$18
$721
$3,125
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Cooks in Southwest Montana have experienced steady growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Economic factors such as inflation, rising food costs, and increased demand for dining services typically drive incremental salary increases in the culinary sector.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
Career progression for Cooks in Southwest Montana typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior roles, which naturally commands higher compensation. While specific percentile data isn't available, the typical salary range would see significant increases for experienced chefs or kitchen managers compared to line cooks, reflecting a clear career ladder and skill-based pay scaling.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $22,890 | $11 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $28,125 | $13.5 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $36,390 | $17.5 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $46,875 | $22.5 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $49,570 | $23.8 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$37,500
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$37,500
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $37,500 in Southwest Montana aligns perfectly with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average. Therefore, the nominal income translates directly to a comparable standard of living when compared to the rest of the country.
Job Market Context
770
Total Jobs
19.921
Per 1K Jobs
2.12
Location Quotient
Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area has 2.1x 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.
The Location Quotient of 2.12 for Cooks in Southwest Montana is a strong indicator of market dynamics. A quotient significantly above 1.0 signifies that this profession is more concentrated in this region than the national average. This suggests a potentially competitive market for employers seeking talent, but also a favorable environment for job seekers due to the relative abundance of opportunities.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $36,500↓ 3% | 56 mi |
| Helena, MT Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $37,010↓ 1% | 77 mi |
| Bozeman, MT Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $41,600↑ 11% | 90 mi |
Comparing salaries near Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area is $37,500. This typically ranges from $22,890 for entry-level positions to $49,570 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area is 0.5% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
Yes, it offers competitive compensation relative to the cost of living.Cooks earn an average of $37,500, which is on par with the national average. Coupled with a Cost of Living Index of 100, this salary provides equivalent purchasing power to the national standard.
Is Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area?
Some top paying nearby cities include Great Falls, MT ($36,500) and Helena, MT.
How does the number of cooks in Southwest Montana compare nationally?
Southwest Montana has a total local workforce of 770 cooks, and the jobs per 1,000 workers is 19.921, indicating a significant presence of this profession in the region.
What does a Location Quotient of 2.12 mean for cooks in this area?
A Location Quotient of 2.12 means that the concentration of cook jobs in Southwest Montana is more than double the national average, suggesting higher demand and opportunity.
How does the cost of living affect the salary for cooks in Southwest Montana?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, the $37,500 salary for cooks in Southwest Montana offers the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
What is the national average salary for cooks?
The national average annual salary for cooks is approximately $37,700, very close to the average salary observed in the Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 770 employees in the Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 19.921 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Restaurant Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- All Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Construction and Extraction Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Management Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area
- Browse All Jobs in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area