Food Preparation Workers Salary in Missoula, MT

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

Median annual salary $31,440 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $15.12
10th percentile $26,570
90th percentile $42,560
Employed locally 350
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Missoula, MT
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,570
    25th
    $28,790
    50th (median)
    $31,440
    75th
    $35,970
    90th
    $42,560

    Missoula economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,888 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% 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
    Great Falls, MT $29,910
    Sumter, SC $27,600

    Related occupations in Missoula, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,200
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,080
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $42,480
    Bartenders $22,210
    Dishwashers $28,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Missoula?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Missoula, MT is $15.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.00 or more per hour.

    Is Missoula above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Missoula, MT is 8.1% 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 Missoula?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,570 per year in Missoula, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,790.