Great Falls, MT · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Great Falls, MT

In the Great Falls, MT metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $34,600 ($16.63/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $26,600/year and the 90th was $44,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Montana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,112 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,600$16.63 per hour · $2,883 monthly
10th Percentile$26,600$12.79/hr base
25th Percentile$29,400$14.13/hr base
75th Percentile$38,000$18.27/hr base
90th Percentile$44,400$21.35/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,600
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,600
Net 84%
Fed 6%
MT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,112After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,426Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,120Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,972 / yr
Montana state income tax$870 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,647 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Great Falls, MT Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MT)
10th Percentile$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$23,022
25th Percentile$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,178
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$29,112
75th Percentile$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,684
90th Percentile$21.35/hr$3,700$44,400$36,525

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Great Falls, MT

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$67,690Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.83.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.1%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Montana:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Great Falls, MT

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT is $34,600, which equates to approximately $2,883 per month or $16.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT is $16.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.35/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Great Falls, MT span from $26,600 at the 10th percentile to $29,400 at the 25th, $38,000 at the 75th, and $44,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Great Falls, MT?

On a median gross salary of $34,600, an estimated $29,112 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,120 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Montana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,488 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Great Falls, MT?

On the median annual salary of $34,600, gross monthly income is $2,883. After federal, FICA, and Montana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,426 per month (or $1,120 every two weeks).

Is $34,600 a good salary in Great Falls, MT?

At $34,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 51.1% of the Great Falls, MT median household income ($67,690). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.8, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.