Food Preparation Workers Salary in Kankakee, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kankakee, IL

Median annual salary $30,510 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.67
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $36,670
Employed locally 140
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Kankakee, IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,120
    50th (median)
    $30,510
    75th
    $33,450
    90th
    $36,670

    Kankakee economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,325 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 45% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 55% 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 Kankakee, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$30,830
    Waiters and Waitresses$29,120
    Cooks, Restaurant$33,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,260
    Bartenders$29,120
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Kankakee, IL is $14.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Kankakee, IL is 10.8% 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 Kankakee?

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