Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Illinois

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

Median annual salary $33,520 -9% vs national
Median hourly $16.12
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $42,590
Employed locally 1,310
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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South Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,500
    50th (median)
    $33,520
    75th
    $36,080
    90th
    $42,590

    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 South Illinois

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

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Illinois is $16.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.48 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Illinois is 9% 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 South Illinois?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in South Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,500.