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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$37,440
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.8% vs 2024
$39,210
Mean Salary
$37,440
Median Salary
$18.00
Hourly Rate
22,840 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois earn a median salary of $37,440 per year ($3,120/month).
This is 3.2% below the national average of $38,684.
Illinois ranks #25 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 22,840 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 2.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $48,130 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $34,560 and $43,280.
Median $37,440
P10: $31,200P25: $34,560P75: $43,280P90: $48,130
10th
$31,200
25th
$34,560
Median
$37,440
75th
$43,280
90th
$48,130
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$31,200
$15.00
$2,600
25th Percentile
$34,560
$16.62
$2,880
Median (50th)
$37,440
$18.00
$3,120
75th Percentile
$43,280
$20.81
$3,606
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$48,130
$23.14
$4,010
Note: The mean (average) salary of $39,210 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#25
Illinois ranks #25 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois is $37,440 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $39,210.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $48,130 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $34,560 and $43,280.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Illinois typically start around $31,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $34,560 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 22,840 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois is approximately $18.00 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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