Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Illinois
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, fast food in Illinois was $34,960 +13.2% vs national
Illinois vs United States
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $34,960 | $30,890 |
| Median hourly | $16.81 | $14.85 |
| Employment | 13,430 | 641,070 |
| Location quotient | 0.53 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Illinois) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $31,200, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $40,580 — a 1.3x gap between entry-level and top earners.
With approximately 13,430 cooks, fast food employed in Illinois, this is a significant occupation in the labor market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, fast food salary in Illinois?
The median annual wage in Illinois is $34,960 ($16.81 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for cooks, fast food?
The Illinois median of $34,960 is 13.2% higher than the U.S. median of $30,890.
How many cooks, fast food work in Illinois?
Approximately 13,430 are employed in Illinois, per BLS OES.