Illinois ranks 26th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($48,260) by $11,830 — a 32% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $29,330 to $48,440 — a $19,110 spread, 11% tighter than the national $21,520 range.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are more concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.30 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.30× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $29,330 | $14.10 |
| 25th percentile | $31,700 | $15.24 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,430 | $17.52 |
| 75th percentile | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Mean (average) | $38,050 | $18.29 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $36,430 | n/a |
| Washington | $48,260 | +32% |
| Hawaii | $47,250 | +30% |
| Alaska | $46,900 | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +27% |
| Connecticut | $45,870 | +26% |
| California | $45,680 | +25% |
| District of Columbia | $45,600 | +25% |
| Rhode Island | $45,450 | +25% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,310 | 119,640 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | 25,750 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,590 | 4,250 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,630 | 61,630 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $36,220 | 18,560 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,700 | 1,380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Illinois?
The mean cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Illinois is $38,050 per year. The median (middle) salary is $36,430 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Illinois?
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $29,330 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $31,700 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $48,440 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $42,030 per year.
How does the Illinois Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Illinois is $36,430, which is +0% above national average of $36,450.