Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Bloomington, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bloomington, IL

Median annual salary $55,430 -9.1% vs national
Median hourly $26.65
10th percentile $40,310
90th percentile $90,820
Employed locally 70
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Bloomington, IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,310
    25th
    $44,880
    50th (median)
    $55,430
    75th
    $72,550
    90th
    $90,820

    Bloomington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $78,329 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 71% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Huntsville, AL $70,960
    Mobile, AL $66,440
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $65,780
    Wildwood-The Villages, FL $65,290
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $64,590

    Related occupations in Bloomington, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,610
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,760
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,700
    Bartenders $29,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Bloomington?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Bloomington, IL is $26.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.32 or more per hour.

    Is Bloomington above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Bloomington, IL is 9.1% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Bloomington?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $40,310 per year in Bloomington, IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,880.