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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$37,580
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.6% vs 2024
$39,520
Mean Salary
$37,580
Median Salary
$18.07
Hourly Rate
53,540 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois earn a median salary of $37,580 per year ($3,131/month).
This is 0.3% below the national average of $37,684.
Illinois ranks #21 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 53,540 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 2.6% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $46,460 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $35,360 and $45,010.
Median $37,580
P10: $31,200P25: $35,360P75: $45,010P90: $46,460
10th
$31,200
25th
$35,360
Median
$37,580
75th
$45,010
90th
$46,460
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$31,200
$15.00
$2,600
25th Percentile
$35,360
$17.00
$2,946
Median (50th)
$37,580
$18.07
$3,131
75th Percentile
$45,010
$21.64
$3,750
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$46,460
$22.34
$3,871
Note: The mean (average) salary of $39,520 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois is $37,580 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $39,520.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois range from $31,200 at the 10th percentile to $46,460 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $35,360 and $45,010.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Illinois typically start around $31,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $35,360 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 53,540 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Illinois is approximately $18.07 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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