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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$42,670
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.5% vs 2024
$42,590
Mean Salary
$42,670
Median Salary
$20.51
Hourly Rate
2,460 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois earn a median salary of $42,670 per year ($3,555/month).
This is 3.5% above the national average of $41,230.
Illinois ranks #19 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay.
Approximately 2,460 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries decreased by 0.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois range from $32,480 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $51,320 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $36,490 and $47,200.
Median $42,670
P10: $32,480P25: $36,490P75: $47,200P90: $51,320
10th
$32,480
25th
$36,490
Median
$42,670
75th
$47,200
90th
$51,320
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$32,480
$15.62
$2,706
25th Percentile
$36,490
$17.54
$3,040
Median (50th)
$42,670
$20.51
$3,555
75th Percentile
$47,200
$22.69
$3,933
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$51,320
$24.67
$4,276
Note: The mean (average) salary of $42,590 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#19
Illinois ranks #19 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois is $42,670 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $42,590.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois range from $32,480 at the 10th percentile to $51,320 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $36,490 and $47,200.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in Illinois typically start around $32,480 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $36,490 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,460 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois is approximately $20.51 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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