Cooks, All Other salary in Illinois
Cooks, All Other in Illinois earn a median of $35,940 a year ($17.28 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $35,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $37,690. Illinois ranks 23rd of 33 states for cooks, all other pay. The average (mean) salary is $43,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, all other in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| 25th percentile | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Median | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| 75th percentile | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,310 | $27.56 |
| Average (mean) | $43,460 | $20.90 |
Half of cooks, all other earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,497.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,382.31 |
| Weekly | $691.15 |
| Hourly | $17.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, All Other salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,940 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cooks, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $69,570 |
| Washington | $52,510 |
| Nevada | $51,220 |
| New Jersey | $46,080 |
| Indiana | $44,290 |
| North Dakota | $44,190 |
| Missouri | $43,990 |
| Colorado | $43,490 |
| New York | $43,000 |
| Georgia | $42,960 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Bartender | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Dishwasher | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $58,830 | $28.29 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2019. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, all other make in Illinois?
The median salary for cooks, all other in Illinois is $35,940 a year, or $17.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, all other make in Illinois?
The top 10% of cooks, all other in Illinois earn at least $57,310 a year. The top 25% earn $49,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, all other in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,940 a year, and a quarter of cooks, all other earn $35,940 or less.