Illinois ranks 18th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $19,750 — a 32% gap.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.77 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.30× below the national share.
Illinois employs roughly 3.0% of all chefs and head cooks in the country (5,540 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| 25th percentile | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| 75th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Mean (average) | $63,360 | $30.46 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $61,450 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +32% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +29% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +25% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +20% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +16% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +14% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +13% |
| California | $66,780 | +9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $61,210 | 12,790 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $61,690 | 1,620 |
| Postal Service Clerks | $61,110 | 2,920 |
| Chemical Technicians | $61,830 | 1,410 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $61,880 | 4,940 |
| Flight Attendants | $62,120 | 9,230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Illinois?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in Illinois is $63,360 per year. The median (middle) salary is $61,450 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $35,290 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $45,960 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $95,830 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $78,520 per year.
How does the Illinois Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in Illinois is $61,450, which is +1% above national average of $60,990.