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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$58,830
Median Annual Salary
▼
-4.3% vs 2024
$62,810
Mean Salary
$58,830
Median Salary
$28.28
Hourly Rate
8,290 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois earn a median salary of $58,830 per year ($4,902/month).
This is 5.1% below the national average of $61,962.
Illinois ranks #35 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay.
Approximately 8,290 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries decreased by 4.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Chefs and Head Cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Top Skills
Coordination
4.0
Speaking
3.88
Monitoring
3.88
Time Management
3.88
Active Listening
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.69
Customer and Personal Service
4.14
Production and Processing
4.04
Administration and Management
4.03
Personnel and Human Resources
3.96
Typical Education: Associate's Degree
(51.7% of workers)
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois range from $40,330 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $88,420 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $50,000 and $73,620.
Median $58,830
P10: $40,330P25: $50,000P75: $73,620P90: $88,420
10th
$40,330
25th
$50,000
Median
$58,830
75th
$73,620
90th
$88,420
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$40,330
$19.39
$3,360
25th Percentile
$50,000
$24.04
$4,166
Median (50th)
$58,830
$28.28
$4,902
75th Percentile
$73,620
$35.39
$6,135
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$88,420
$42.51
$7,368
Note: The mean (average) salary of $62,810 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois is $58,830 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $62,810.
What is the salary range for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois?
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois range from $40,330 at the 10th percentile to $88,420 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $50,000 and $73,620.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks positions in Illinois typically start around $40,330 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $50,000 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 8,290 people are employed as Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois is approximately $28.28 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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