Fast Food Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median fast food worker in the Chicago area earns $34,630 a year ($16.65 an hour), 11% above the U.S. median ($31,200) and 2% above the Illinois median ($33,910). Half of the 97,280 fast food workers there earn between $31,200 and $36,590.
Median $34,630
10th: $31,20090th: $38,610
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,840 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,700 |
| Median | $34,630 | $33,910 | $31,200 |
| 75th percentile | $36,590 | $35,990 | $36,070 |
| 90th percentile | $38,610 | $37,330 | $42,650 |
| Average | $34,690 | $34,280 | $32,150 |
| Jobs | 97,280 | 127,590 | 3,854,050 |
Chicago, IL ranks 13th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for fast food worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($44,570).
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Check my payFast food worker pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $44,570
- San Francisco, CA: $43,870
- Sacramento, CA: $42,860
- Riverside, CA: $42,280
- San Diego, CA: $42,190
- Los Angeles, CA: $42,110
- Seattle, WA: $39,150
- Denver, CO: $37,070
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Waiter: $31,200
- Bartender: $31,200
- Restaurant Cook: $38,930
- Food Service Supervisor: $42,650
- Food Preparation Worker: $35,410
- All jobs in Chicago, IL
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.