Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Illinois
Chefs and Head Cooks in Illinois earn a median of $58,830 a year, −6% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $58,830
- vs. U.S. median
- −6% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 35 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 8,290
Pay range in Illinois
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330; the top 10% earn over $88,420. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near Illinois
Similar jobs in Illinois
- Food Service Managers$63,930 median in Illinois
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,470 median in Illinois
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$49,410 median in Illinois
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,440 median in Illinois
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39,240 median in Illinois
- Cooks, Restaurant$37,580 median in Illinois
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Illinois
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Illinois?
The median is $58,830 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330 and the top 10% earn over $88,420. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is Illinois a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 35 of 51 (−6% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.