Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,330
- 25th Percentile — Junior$50,000
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,830
- 75th Percentile — Senior$73,620
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$88,420
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois earn more than $58,830. The top 10% make $88,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,330.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 32nd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $62,810 per year (5.8% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 8,290 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois — 4.1% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.06: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330; the top 10% earn over $88,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.2 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Illinois, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($45,710).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $62,810 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $62,810 is roughly equivalent to $59,819 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, West Virginia ($64,600), Wisconsin ($64,210), North Carolina ($63,960) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $45,710/yr Illinois 27.2% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $39,520/yr Illinois 37.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,210/yr Illinois 37.6% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,610/yr Illinois 43.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $35,550/yr Illinois 43.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,340/yr Illinois 43.7% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,280/yr Illinois 45.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,800/yr Illinois 46.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Illinois?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Illinois is $62,810 per year (median $58,830), which is 5.8% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Illinois rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Illinois ranks 32nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois earn about $40,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,000.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Illinois?
About $30.2 per hour, based on the $62,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Illinois?
BLS counts 8,290 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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