Cooks, Restaurant Salary in West Central Illinois

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

Median annual salary $31,420 -14.7% vs national
Median hourly $15.11
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $41,690
Employed locally 1,710
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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West Central Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,500
    50th (median)
    $31,420
    75th
    $35,710
    90th
    $41,690

    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 West Central Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,790
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Bartenders $29,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $32,910
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $29,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in West Central Illinois is $15.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in West Central Illinois is 14.7% 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 West Central Illinois?

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