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Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Fast Food make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$34,960
Median Annual Salary
▲
+10.7% vs 2024
$35,340
Mean Salary
$34,960
Median Salary
$16.81
Hourly Rate
13,430 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois
Cooks, Fast Food salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois earn a median salary of $34,960 per year ($2,913/month).
This is 10.1% above the national average of $31,757.
Illinois ranks #14 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food pay.
Approximately 13,430 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 10.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Speaking
2.75
Social Perceptiveness
2.75
Coordination
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Administration and Management
3.34
Transportation
3.26
Communications and Media
3.2
Customer and Personal Service
3.13
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(58.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $40,580 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $31,430 and $37,350.
Median $34,960
P10: $31,200P25: $31,430P75: $37,350P90: $40,580
10th
$31,200
25th
$31,430
Median
$34,960
75th
$37,350
90th
$40,580
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$31,200
$15.00
$2,600
25th Percentile
$31,430
$15.11
$2,619
Median (50th)
$34,960
$16.81
$2,913
75th Percentile
$37,350
$17.96
$3,112
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$40,580
$19.51
$3,381
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,340 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois is $34,960 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,340.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois?
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $40,580 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $31,430 and $37,350.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food positions in Illinois typically start around $31,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $31,430 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 13,430 people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Illinois is approximately $16.81 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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