Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$33,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#14 of 51
127,590 employed here

How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Illinois?

Fast Food and Counter Workers working in Illinois earn a median salary of $33,910 per year, or about $16.30 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $37,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $35,990 a year.

Fast Food and Counter Workers salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$31,200$15.00
50th percentile (median)$33,910$16.30
75th percentile (experienced)$35,990$17.30
90th percentile (top earners)$37,330$17.95

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$42,280
2Washington$37,710
3District of Columbia$37,430
4Colorado$36,270
5Vermont$36,030

Working as Fast Food and Counter Workers in Illinois

Nationally, about 3,854,000 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($33,910) 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 do Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Illinois?
The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Illinois is $33,910 per year, or about $16.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $37,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Fast Food and Counter Workers about 9% more than the national median of $31,200. Illinois ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $33,910 a year. About 127,590 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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.