Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$38,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $35,840
State Rank
#4 of 44
2,720 employed here

How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in Illinois?

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Illinois take home a median of $38,880 annually — roughly $18.69 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $35,840.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $56,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,290 and $45,230 a year.

Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$33,290$16.00
50th percentile (median)$38,880$18.69
75th percentile (experienced)$45,230$21.75
90th percentile (top earners)$56,000$26.92

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 4th out of 44 states and territories for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Nebraska$46,170
2Hawaii$43,540
3Oregon$39,080
4Illinois$38,880
5District of Columbia$38,580

Working as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Illinois

Nationally, about 85,000 people work as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($38,880) 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 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in Illinois?
The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in Illinois is $38,880 per year, or about $18.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $56,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other about 8% more than the national median of $35,840. Illinois ranks 4th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,880 a year. About 2,720 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other 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 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other 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.