Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $18.41 an hour ($38,290 a year). About 14,010 people work in this job there.
That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 2% higher than the Illinois median ($37,440).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.15 | $31,510 |
| 25% of workers | $17.39 | $36,170 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.41 | $38,290 |
| 75% of workers | $22.11 | $46,000 |
| 90% of workers | $23.82 | $49,540 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana | $38,330 | 550 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $38,290 | 14,010 |
| Bloomington | $37,950 | 520 |
| Decatur | $36,750 | 170 |
| Peoria | $35,980 | 790 |
| Springfield | $35,600 | 460 |
| Kankakee | $35,200 | 230 |
| Rockford | $34,580 | 690 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,630 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,650 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,410 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,360 |
| Bakers | $37,230 |
| Food Service Managers | $65,620 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,770 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.