How much does a cook make in Rockford?
$36,200a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Rockford, IL metro area. That is $17.40 an hour or $3,017 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.40
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 186 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,200Median: $36,200Highest 10%: $44,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 25th | $31,730 | $15.25 | |
| Median | $36,200 | $17.40 | |
| 75th | $37,860 | $18.20 | |
| 90th | $44,320 | $21.31 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chicago, IL | $38,930 |
| St. Louis, MO | $37,690 |
| Springfield, IL | $36,550 |
| Decatur, IL | $36,440 |
| Champaign, IL | $36,040 |
| Peoria, IL | $36,040 |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,560 |
| Davenport, IA | $35,480 |
| Bloomington, IL | $35,310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $34,870 |
| Paducah, KY | $31,200 |
Related jobs in Rockford
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $47,740 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,750 |
| Cook | $34,580 |
| Cook | $34,150 |
| Cook | $33,380 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,530 |
| Food Server | $31,670 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,640 |
| Dishwasher | $31,570 |
| Bartender | $31,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Rockford?
The median hourly pay in the Rockford, IL metro area is $17.40 ($36,200 a year).
Do cooks make more in Rockford than the national average?
No: $36,200 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
How does Rockford compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $37,580, so Rockford pays 4% less.
Where does Rockford rank for cook pay?
186 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Rockford?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,200 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,320 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.