Food Preparation Workers Salary in Great Falls, MT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Great Falls, MT

Median annual salary $29,910 -12.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.38
10th percentile $23,830
90th percentile $35,220
Employed locally 210
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Great Falls, MT
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,830
    25th
    $27,000
    50th (median)
    $29,910
    75th
    $34,610
    90th
    $35,220

    Great Falls economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,203 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 45% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 55% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bozeman, MT $35,720
    Binghamton, NY $34,220
    Billings, MT $31,840
    Helena, MT $31,580
    Missoula, MT $31,440
    Sumter, SC $27,600

    Related occupations in Great Falls, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,640
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,570
    Waiters and Waitresses$22,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$38,670
    Bartenders$22,450
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Great Falls?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Great Falls, MT is $14.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.69 or more per hour.

    Is Great Falls above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Great Falls, MT is 12.6% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Great Falls?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,830 per year in Great Falls, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,000.