Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,560
- 50th Percentile — Median$37,440
- 75th Percentile — Senior$43,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$48,130
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois earn more than $37,440. The top 10% make $48,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 25th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $39,210 per year (1.0% above the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 22,840 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois — 5.2% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 1.32: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $48,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $18.85 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in Illinois, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($62,810).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $39,210 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $39,210 is roughly equivalent to $37,343 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($41,140), Wisconsin ($39,860), Utah ($39,570) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $62,810/yr Illinois +60.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $45,710/yr Illinois +16.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $39,520/yr Illinois +0.8% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,610/yr Illinois 9.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $35,550/yr Illinois 9.3% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,340/yr Illinois 9.9% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,280/yr Illinois 12.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,800/yr Illinois 13.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Illinois?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Illinois is $39,210 per year (median $37,440), which is 1.0% above the national average of $38,810.
How does Illinois rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
Illinois ranks 25th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,560.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Illinois?
About $18.85 per hour, based on the $39,210 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in Illinois?
BLS counts 22,840 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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