Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Chicago, IL (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · 47,100 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Chicago, IL is $38,810 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $34,440 and $44,520. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $46,560 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $30,900. The median of $37,090 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $30,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,440 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $37,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $38,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,520 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $46,560 |
Related Jobs in Chicago, IL
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,290 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,630 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,570 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,010 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Chicago, IL is $38,810 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Chicago, IL is $37,090 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Chicago, IL?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Chicago, IL typically earn around $30,900 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $34,440.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Chicago, IL?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Chicago, IL earn $46,560 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $44,520.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Chicago, IL?
There are approximately 47,100 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area, per BLS OEWS.