Illinois employs 39,660 Food Preparation Workers professionals, above the national average concentration.
Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06
The location quotient (LQ) of 2.3 indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.
Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.
The average annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Illinois is $34,010. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.
Illinois employs approximately 39,660 Food Preparation Workers professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Illinois among the top states nationwide.
Yes — Illinois has above-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs (LQ: 2.3). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.
The average (mean) salary for Food Preparation Workers in Illinois is $34010/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.
Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.
The top state for Food Preparation Workers employment is California with 107,870 jobs.
Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Food Preparation Workers (SOC 352021) in Illinois.