Illinois Median
$37,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#19 of 49
2,630 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Illinois?
A Cook, Short Order working in Illinois earns a median salary of $37,440 per year, or about $18.00 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $45,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,700 and $38,280 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,700 | $16.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,280 | $18.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110California $42,930Washington $42,760Colorado $42,450Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840North Carolina $31,290Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Arkansas $30,510Tennessee $30,210South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in Illinois
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($37,440) 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, Short Order make in Illinois?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Illinois is $37,440 per year, or about $18.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $45,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Cooks, Short Order about 4% more than the national median of $35,880. Illinois ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,440 a year. About 2,630 Cooks, Short Order 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, Short Order salary report
Related salaries
$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed
$44,080
median pay · 1,223,000 employed
$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed
$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed
$35,840
median pay · 85,000 employed
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.