Food Preparation Workers Salary in Champaign, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Champaign-Urbana, IL

Median annual salary $31,580 -7.7% vs national
Median hourly $15.18
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $43,770
Employed locally 490
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Champaign, IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,670
    50th (median)
    $31,580
    75th
    $35,750
    90th
    $43,770

    Champaign economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,558 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 49% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $37,570
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $37,270
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $37,010
    Jacksonville, FL $35,630

    Related occupations in Champaign, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,270
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,490
    Bartenders $29,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,670
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Champaign?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Champaign, IL is $15.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.09 or more per hour.

    Is Champaign above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Champaign, IL is 7.7% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Champaign?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Champaign, IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,670.