EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

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

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $36,100 ($17.36/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,300/year and the 90th was $46,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,544 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,100$17.36 per hour · $3,008 monthly
10th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
25th Percentile$32,300$15.53/hr base
75th Percentile$39,300$18.89/hr base
90th Percentile$46,600$22.40/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 $36,000 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 $36,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $36,000 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

$36,100
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,100
Net 82%
Fed 6%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,544After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,462Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,136Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,152 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,642 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,762 / yr
Customize deductions in full Illinois calculator

Food Preparation 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 Food Preparation 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$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$29,544
75th Percentile$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$31,957
90th Percentile$22.40/hr$3,883$46,600$37,461

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,100 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 Ratio39.7%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:

Compare markets

Food Preparation 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 Food Preparation Workers Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

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

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $36,100, which equates to approximately $3,008 per month or $17.36 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $17.36 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.40/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $32,300 at the 25th, $39,300 at the 75th, and $46,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $36,100, an estimated $29,544 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,136 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,556 (an effective rate of 18.2%).

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

On the median annual salary of $36,100, gross monthly income is $3,008. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,462 per month (or $1,136 every two weeks).

Is $36,100 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

At $36,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.7% 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.