Food Preparation Workers Salary in Illinois
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for food preparation workers in Illinois was $34,850 -1.3% vs national
Illinois vs United States
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $34,850 | $35,320 |
| Median hourly | $16.75 | $16.98 |
| Employment | 34,820 | 893,600 |
| Location quotient | 0.99 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Illinois) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
A closer look
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $31,200, median pay is $34,850, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $44,990.
Employment density in Illinois is 0.99x the national average — a roughly average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average food preparation workers salary in Illinois?
The median annual wage in Illinois is $34,850 ($16.75 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for food preparation workers?
The Illinois median of $34,850 is 1.3% lower than the U.S. median of $35,320.
How many food preparation workers work in Illinois?
Approximately 34,820 are employed in Illinois, per BLS OES.