Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Helena, MT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Helena, MT

Median annual salary $36,220 -0.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.41
10th percentile $29,160
90th percentile $47,010
Employed locally 130
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Helena, MT
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,160
    25th
    $31,850
    50th (median)
    $36,220
    75th
    $38,270
    90th
    $47,010

    Helena economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,040 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 49% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Binghamton, NY $39,380
    Bozeman, MT $38,670
    Billings, MT $37,320
    Missoula, MT $37,010
    Great Falls, MT $36,240
    Sumter, SC $26,420

    Related occupations in Helena, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,050
    Cooks, Restaurant$36,120
    Waiters and Waitresses$21,870
    Bartenders$22,610
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,310
    Food Preparation Workers$31,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Helena?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Helena, MT is $17.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.00 or more per hour.

    Is Helena above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Helena, MT is 0.6% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Helena?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $29,160 per year in Helena, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,850.