Food Preparation Workers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for food preparation workers is $17.02 an hour ($35,410 a year). About 27,100 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 2% higher than the Illinois median ($34,850).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.02 | $35,410 |
| 75% of workers | $18.69 | $38,870 |
| 90% of workers | $21.80 | $45,330 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Decatur | $33,450 | 200 |
| Rockford | $32,530 | 720 |
| Springfield | $32,530 | 510 |
| Peoria | $32,140 | 770 |
| Bloomington | $32,030 | 580 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $31,850 | 660 |
| Kankakee | $31,200 | 270 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 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 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,290 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,670 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,360 |
| Bakers | $37,230 |
| 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.