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Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $35,100 ($16.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,300/year and the 90th was $38,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,790 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,100$16.88 per hour · $2,925 monthly
10th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
25th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
75th Percentile$37,300$17.93/hr base
90th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $35,000 a year leaves after tax in IllinoisFederal tax, FICA and Illinois withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$17 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $35,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $35,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Illinois publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Illinois.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,100
Net 82%
Fed 6%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,790After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,399Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,107Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,032 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,593 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,685 / yr
Customize deductions in full Illinois calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$26,679
25th Percentile$15.53/hr$2,692$32,300$26,679
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.88/hr$2,925$35,100$28,790
75th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$30,449
90th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$31,505

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$90,887Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.63.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.6%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Illinois metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $35,100, which equates to approximately $2,925 per month or $16.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $16.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.61/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $32,300 at the 25th, $37,300 at the 75th, and $38,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On a median gross salary of $35,100, an estimated $28,790 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,107 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,310 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On the median annual salary of $35,100, gross monthly income is $2,925. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,399 per month (or $1,107 every two weeks).

Is $35,100 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

At $35,100, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 38.6% of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median household income ($90,887). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.6, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.