SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — East Central Illinois
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
At $31,200, median pay for Cooks, Fast Food in East Central Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $30,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $31,200, median pay for Cooks, Fast Food in East Central Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $30,890 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,200 and $33,340. The lowest tenth earn under $31,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $34,580.
Chicago leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 333rd of 342 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | +1.0% |
| 25th | $31,200 | +1.0% |
| Median (50th) | $31,200 | +1.0% |
| 75th | $33,340 | +7.9% |
| 90th | $34,580 | +11.9% |
| Mean | $32,490 | +5.2% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Central Illinois sit close to the national average, so $31,200 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$31,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,200US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,200 a year, 1.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $34,580 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $35,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in East Central Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $31,200, or $15.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $30,890, so pay in East Central Illinois, IL is 1.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in East Central Illinois, IL earns more than $34,580 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $35,360 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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