Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Northwest Illinois

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

Median annual salary $32,850 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.80
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $42,500
Employed locally 1,350
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Northwest Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,610
    50th (median)
    $32,850
    75th
    $35,780
    90th
    $42,500

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,720
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Bartenders $29,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,620
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,950
    Food Preparation Workers $30,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Northwest Illinois is $15.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.38 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Northwest Illinois is 10.8% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,610.