Chef Salary in Montana (2026)
$27.63 per hour · take-home ≈ $46,413/year ($3,868/month) for a single filer
Montana ranks 39th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 9% below the national average. Of the 720 Chef jobs BLS counts in Montana, the typical worker earns $57,470 a year — though pay ranges from $38,200 for newcomers to $80,180 at the top.
Chef pay range in Montana
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,200 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $48,890 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $57,470 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $72,020 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $80,180 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 720 Chef jobs in Montana (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Montana
A median Chef salary of $57,470 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Montana state income tax, a single filer keeps about $46,413 — an effective tax rate of 19.2%.
| Gross (median) | $57,470 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,716 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,396 |
| Montana state income tax | −$1,944 |
| Take-home (annual) | $46,413 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,868 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Montana paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Montana?
- The median Chef salary in Montana is $57,470 per year ($27.63 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $48,890 and $72,020.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Montana?
- On the median salary of $57,470, a single filer in Montana takes home about $46,413 per year ($3,868 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.2%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Montana?
- BLS counts 720 Chef jobs in Montana in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Montana
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 Montana 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 Montana.