Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Northwest Illinois

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

Median annual salary $31,950 -12.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.36
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $42,150
Employed locally 750
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Northwest Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,960
    50th (median)
    $31,950
    75th
    $36,180
    90th
    $42,150

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,720
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,120
    Bartenders$29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant$32,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,620
    Food Preparation Workers$30,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northwest Illinois is $15.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.57 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Northwest Illinois is 12.3% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,960.