Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Idaho (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Idaho, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Idaho Median
$45,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#12 of 41
790 employed here

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Idaho?

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders working in Idaho earn a median salary of $45,120 per year, or about $21.69 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $41,590 for this occupation.

Within Idaho, entry-level pay starts around $36,630 while the top 10% make $75,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,520 and $59,310 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Idaho

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,630$17.61
25th percentile (early career)$38,520$18.52
50th percentile (median)$45,120$21.69
75th percentile (experienced)$59,310$28.51
90th percentile (top earners)$75,380$36.24

How Idaho compares

Idaho ranks 12th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$51,100
2Utah$48,620
3Massachusetts$47,960
4Iowa$47,900
5Michigan$47,260

Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Idaho

Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Idaho pay ($45,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Idaho?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Idaho is $45,120 per year, or about $21.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,630 at the entry level to $75,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Idaho pay compare to the national average?
Idaho pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 8% more than the national median of $41,590. Idaho ranks 12th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Idaho a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Idaho pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,120 a year. About 790 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Idaho. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Idaho?
The highest-paying occupations in Idaho include Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($507,640), Anesthesiologist ($449,990), General Internal Medicine Physician ($355,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.