Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Idaho

Chefs and head cooks in Idaho earn the most in Coeur d'Alene (average $66,680 a year) and the least in Idaho Falls ($53,990), across the 3 Idaho metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the chefs and head cooks average at $57,390 and the median at $52,000 for 550 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $66,700.

Chefs and Head Cooks average salary by city in Idaho

Coeur d'Alene$66,680
Boise$54,970
Idaho Falls$53,990

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Coeur d'Alene	$66,680	$65,030	$49,550	$53,314	98
Boise	$54,970	$47,500	$42,450	$44,543	98
Idaho Falls	$53,990	$48,670	$30,390	$43,808	94

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Idaho's zero bracket uses the latest published amount ($4,811, 2025). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states

Chefs and Head Cooks salary by city and state

More about pay in Idaho

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-1011.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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