SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — East Central Illinois
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
At $36,400, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Central Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $37,450 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,400, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Central Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $37,450 closely. Pay ranges from under $31,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,570 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,150 to $39,070.
Employment stands at 1,020, or 7.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Champaign records the highest median at $38,330. Of the 342 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 305th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −16.7% |
| 25th | $32,150 | −14.2% |
| Median (50th) | $36,400 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $39,070 | +4.3% |
| 90th | $45,570 | +21.7% |
| Mean | $37,560 | +0.3% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Champaign | $38,330 | 550 | |
| 2 | Chicago | $38,290 | 14,010 | |
| 3 | Bloomington | $37,950 | 520 | |
| 4 | Decatur | $36,750 | 170 | |
| 5 | Peoria | $35,980 | 790 | |
| 6 | Springfield | $35,600 | 460 | |
| 7 | Kankakee | $35,200 | 230 | |
| 8 | Rockford | $34,580 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Central Illinois sit close to the national average, so $36,400 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$36,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,400US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,400 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $45,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Champaign, at $38,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Central Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $36,400, or $17.50 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 $37,450, so pay in East Central Illinois, IL is 2.8% lower. 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 $45,570 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 Champaign, at $38,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,020 jobs in this occupation in East Central Illinois, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
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.
Explore related data