Salaries › Cafeteria Cook › Idaho
Cafeteria Cook Salary in Idaho (2026)
$17.11 per hour · take-home ≈ $29,751/year ($2,479/month) for a single filer
Idaho ranks 38th of 51 states for Cafeteria Cook pay, with a median about 6% below the national average. Of the 3,650 Cafeteria Cook jobs BLS counts in Idaho, the typical worker earns $35,600 a year — though pay ranges from $28,330 for newcomers to $45,550 at the top.
Cafeteria Cook pay range in Idaho
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $28,330 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $30,730 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $35,600 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $39,010 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $45,550 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,650 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Idaho (occupation code 35-2012, “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”).
Gross vs. take-home in Idaho
A median Cafeteria Cook salary of $35,600 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Idaho state income tax, a single filer keeps about $29,751 — an effective tax rate of 16.4%.
| Gross (median) | $35,600 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,092 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,723 |
| Idaho state income tax | −$1,034 |
| Take-home (annual) | $29,751 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,479 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Idaho paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in Idaho?
- The median Cafeteria Cook salary in Idaho is $35,600 per year ($17.11 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $30,730 and $39,010.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cafeteria Cook in Idaho?
- On the median salary of $35,600, a single filer in Idaho takes home about $29,751 per year ($2,479 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 16.4%.
- How many Cafeteria Cook jobs are there in Idaho?
- BLS counts 3,650 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Idaho in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cafeteria Cooks
Other salaries in Idaho
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Idaho state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Idaho.