How much does a cook make in Illinois?
$35,940a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Illinois. That is $17.28 an hour or $2,995 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.28
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among states
- 23 of 33
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,940Median: $35,940Highest 10%: $57,310
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,940 | $17.28 | |
| 25th | $35,940 | $17.28 | |
| Median | $35,940 | $17.28 | |
| 75th | $49,290 | $23.70 | |
| 90th | $57,310 | $27.55 |
Cities in Illinois
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Chicago, IL | $35,940 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 20. Minnesota | $36,850 |
| 21. Tennessee | $36,440 |
| 22. Pennsylvania | $36,220 |
| 23. Illinois | $35,940 |
| 24. Virginia | $35,810 |
| 25. Ohio | $35,360 |
| 26. Wisconsin | $33,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Illinois?
The median hourly pay in Illinois is $17.28 ($35,940 a year).
Do cooks make more in Illinois than the national average?
No: $35,940 against $37,690 nationally, 5% less.
Where does Illinois rank for cook pay?
Illinois ranks 23 of 33 states.
Which city in Illinois pays cooks the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with a median of $35,940 a year.
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.