Creative & Education Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Chef Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median chef salary in Great Falls, MT is $49,738 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$49,738
vs State Avg
$-3,956
vs National
$-6,782
Cost of Living
88%

Chef Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median chef salary of $49,738, which is $3,956 below the Montana state average of $53,694. Compared to the national median of $56,520, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $49,738 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $56,520 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for chefs seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chefs in Great Falls spans from $29,216 at the 10th percentile to $86,064 at the 90th percentile — a $56,848 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,800, while senior chefs with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,440. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chef Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level chef earns around $30,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,280
$-6,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $29,216
25th Percentile $37,136
Median (50th) $49,738
75th Percentile $66,000
90th Percentile $86,064

Chef Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$64,998
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$57,650
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$54,259
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$53,129
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Chef in Great Falls

Education

Most chef positions require a high school diploma. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Culinary ArtsMenu PlanningFood SafetyKitchen ManagementCost ControlCreativity

Job Outlook

Nationally, chef employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chef Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open chef positions in Great Falls, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chef Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Chef make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median chef salary in Great Falls, Montana is $49,738 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $56,520. Salaries range from $29,216 (10th percentile) to $86,064 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chef make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,738, a chef in Great Falls earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for chef pay? ▼
Great Falls's median chef salary of $49,738 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $53,694. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a chef salary of $49,738 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chef in Great Falls? ▼
Most chef positions in Great Falls require a high school diploma. Key skills include Culinary Arts, Menu Planning, Food Safety, Kitchen Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.