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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Idaho

Chefs and Head Cooks in Idaho make a median of $50,010 a year, or about $24.04 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:

$50K
Median annual
$24.04/hr
Hourly rate
$36K
Entry level (10th %)
$80K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $50K get you in Idaho?

Estimated monthly take-home$3,365/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,136/mo
Rent as % of take-home33.8% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$53,270/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$2,229/mo

About chefs and head cooks

Education: No formal educational credential
U.S. employed: 182,320
Idaho employed: 420
Category: Food Service

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho

Bar chart showing Chefs and Head Cooks salary percentiles in Idaho: 10th percentile $36,000, 25th percentile $42,610, median $50,010, 75th percentile $67,760, 90th percentile $79,740. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$36K25th$43KMedian$50K75th$68K90th$80K
Bar chart showing Chefs and Head Cooks salary percentiles in Idaho: 10th percentile $36,000, 25th percentile $42,610, median $50,010, 75th percentile $67,760, 90th percentile $79,740. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.

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Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in Idaho

2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay

Metro areaMedian salaryvs. stateEmployment
Boise City$52K+3%210
Coeur d'Alene$50K+0%50

Compare to other states

Track chefs and head cooks salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do chefs and head cooks make in Idaho?

The median is $50,010 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,000, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $79,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $50K enough to live in Idaho?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,365/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 33.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in Idaho?

Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $53,270 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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