Chef salary in Idaho

Chefs in Idaho earn a median $52,000 a year. That's 17% below the national median, ranking Idaho #45 of 50 states.

Median pay
$52,000
Median hourly
$25.00
Typical range
$33,590–$83,240
Jobs
550

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for chefs in Idaho
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$33,590$37,900
25th$42,330$48,440
Median$52,000$62,470
75th$66,930$78,750
90th (top earners)$83,240$98,560

Compare other states

  1. 1Rhode Island$79,930
  2. 2Hawaii$77,360
  3. –District of Columbia$76,420
  4. 3Washington$76,010
  5. 4North Dakota$74,740
  6. 5New Jersey$74,280
  7. 6Wyoming$73,170
  8. 7South Carolina$71,860
  9. 8New York$70,670
  10. 9Tennessee$69,810
  11. 10Massachusetts$69,540
  12. 11Georgia$66,230
  13. 12Vermont$65,440
  14. 13Colorado$65,400
  15. 14California$64,500
  16. 15Missouri$64,480
  17. 16Connecticut$64,310
  18. 17Pennsylvania$63,860
  19. 18Oregon$63,600
  20. 19New Hampshire$63,400
  21. 20Virginia$63,270
  22. 21Minnesota$62,600
  23. 22Alabama$62,400
  24. 23Nevada$62,380
  25. 24New Mexico$62,250
  26. 25Maryland$61,590
  27. 26Delaware$61,440
  28. 27Wisconsin$61,300
  29. 28North Carolina$61,130
  30. 29West Virginia$61,100
  31. 30Nebraska$60,510
  32. 31Michigan$60,070
  33. 32Arizona$59,890
  34. 33Utah$59,060
  35. 34Illinois$58,830
  36. 35Oklahoma$58,540
  37. 36Kansas$58,390
  38. 37Florida$58,240
  39. 38Montana$57,470
  40. 39Maine$57,010
  41. 40Texas$56,080
  42. 41Mississippi$54,850
  43. 42Ohio$53,990
  44. 43Alaska$52,190
  45. 44Indiana$52,190
  46. 45Idaho$52,000
  47. 46South Dakota$48,470
  48. 47Kentucky$48,070
  49. 48Iowa$47,990
  50. 49Arkansas$46,170
  51. 50Louisiana$45,570
  52. –Puerto Rico$30,800

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in Idaho.

Culinary schoolsHow to become a chef

Frequently asked questions

How much do chefs make in Idaho?

The median pay for chefs in Idaho is $52,000 a year ($25.00 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,590, and the top 10% earn over $83,240.

Is Idaho a good state for chefs?

Idaho ranks #45 of 50 states for median chef pay, 17% below the national median of $62,470. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a chef earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a chef covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Chefs and Head Cooks, SOC 35-1011). Figures exclude self-employed workers.