How much does a Food Assistant make in Montana? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Assistant in Montana is $26,805 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Food Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $30,651
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $24,817 to $28,818
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $23,007

Key Factors That Influence Food Assistant Salaries

A Food Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Food Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $26,002
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $26,665
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $27,001
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $27,085
  • Expert (over 8 years): $27,225
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Food Assistant less than 1 year $26,002
Early Career Level Food Assistant 1-2 years $26,665
Mid-Level Level Food Assistant 2-4 years $27,001
Senior-Level Level Food Assistant 5-8 years $27,085
Expert Level Food Assistant over 8 years $27,225

Top Paying Cities for Food Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Absarokee: $26,642
  • Acton: $27,287
  • Ashland: $26,621

Food Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Food Assistant positions in Financial Services or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $37,527 $18.0 40%
MFG Nondurable $36,187 $17.0 35%
Business Services $34,847 $17.0 30%
Aerospace & Defense $33,506 $16.0 25%
Insurance $32,166 $15.0 20%

Food Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$24,817
Average $26,805/year
$28,818
$2,068
Average $2,234/month
$2,402
$477
Average $515/week
$554
$12
Average $13/hour
$14
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $28,818 $2,402 $554 $14
Average $26,805 $2,234 $515 $13
25th Percentile $24,817 $2,068 $477 $12

Find Your Next Food Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Costco Wholesale Corporation | Billings, MT

    Costco Wholesale Corporation | Billings, MT

    Food Service Position. Responsible for preparing and selling food and drinks to customers. Pulls and stocks supplies and ingredients, cleans kitchen area a... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Costco Wholesale Corporation | Bozeman, MT

    Costco Wholesale Corporation | Bozeman, MT

    Food Service Position. Responsible for preparing and selling food and drinks to customers. Pulls and stocks supplies and ingredients, cleans kitchen area a... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Sidney Health Center | Sidney, MT

    Sidney Health Center | Sidney, MT

    Job Description. Job Description. Text to apply: 406-298-4763 using the code: Food. Food Service Assistant ~ The Lodge. Join our I CARE team at Sidney Heal... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Yellowstone County | Billings, MT

    Yellowstone County | Billings, MT

    Food Service Assistant. Assists the Food and Beverage Manager to oversee food and beverage concession operations at public gatherings, sporting events, con... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Government Jobs | Billings, MT

    Government Jobs | Billings, MT

    Job Title. Metra Food Service Assistant. Job Description. Assists the Food and Beverage Manager to oversee food and beverage concession operations at publi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Taco Bell | Hamilton, MT

    Taco Bell | Hamilton, MT

    Taco Bell - 1007 North 1st Street - Responsibilities: Interact with customers: receiving orders, processing sales and monies, and managing customer issues.... more

    3 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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