Illinois Median
$34,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#14 of 51
13,430 employed here
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Illinois?
A Cook, Fast Food working in Illinois earns a median salary of $34,960 per year, or about $16.81 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $40,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,430 and $37,350 a year.
Cook, Fast Food salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,430 | $15.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,960 | $16.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,350 | $17.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,580 | $19.51 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Fast Food salary in other states
Hawaii $48,120District of Columbia $44,670California $42,050Washington $39,120New Hampshire $38,590Vermont $38,230Oregon $37,880Massachusetts $37,870Colorado $36,900Maine $36,350New York $35,770Rhode Island $35,230Connecticut $34,980Minnesota $34,120Alaska $33,960Nevada $33,840Maryland $33,320Arizona $32,660New Jersey $32,220Delaware $31,840Utah $31,800Idaho $31,070South Dakota $30,950Nebraska $30,430North Dakota $30,220New Mexico $30,190Virginia $29,950Florida $29,900Missouri $29,890Indiana $29,870Michigan $29,460Wyoming $28,950Wisconsin $28,920Pennsylvania $28,810Kansas $28,640Iowa $28,510Tennessee $28,330Texas $28,280Alabama $27,870Oklahoma $27,720Arkansas $27,710South Carolina $27,420North Carolina $27,190Georgia $26,940Ohio $26,870Montana $26,770Louisiana $24,960Kentucky $23,500West Virginia $23,120Mississippi $22,670
Working as a Cook, Fast Food in Illinois
Nationally, about 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($34,960) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Illinois?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Illinois is $34,960 per year, or about $16.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $40,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Cooks, Fast Food about 13% more than the national median of $30,890. Illinois ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $34,960 a year. About 13,430 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Fast Food salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.