Cooks, Fast Food Salary in South Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $29,120 -3.4% vs national
Median hourly $14.00
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $35,730
Employed locally 590
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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South Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,120
    50th (median)
    $29,120
    75th
    $29,830
    90th
    $35,730

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Related occupations in South Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,630
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant$33,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,360
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$32,040
    Bartenders$29,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in South Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in South Illinois is $14.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.10 or more per hour.

    Is South Illinois above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Illinois is 3.4% below the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in South Illinois?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in South Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,120.