Food Preparation Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Chicago area earns $35,410 a year ($17.02 an hour), about the same as the U.S. median ($35,320) and 2% above the Illinois median ($34,850). Half of the 27,100 food preparation workers there earn between $31,200 and $38,870.
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $31,200 | $29,950 |
| Median | $35,410 | $34,850 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $38,870 | $37,880 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $45,330 | $44,990 | $45,340 |
| Average | $36,980 | $36,260 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 27,100 | 34,820 | 893,600 |
Chicago, IL ranks 23rd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($45,580).
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $45,580
- Seattle, WA: $43,830
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- Boston, MA: $39,660
- Denver, CO: $39,470
- San Diego, CA: $38,780
- Portland, OR: $38,730
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Restaurant Cook: $38,930
- Fast Food Worker: $34,630
- Waiter: $31,200
- Food Service Supervisor: $42,650
- Bartender: $31,200
- 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.