Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$38,900$18.70 per hour · $3,242 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant 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.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (IL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $15.53/hr | $2,692 | $32,300 | $26,679 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.60/hr | $3,050 | $36,600 | $29,921 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $18.70/hr | $3,242 | $38,900 | $31,655 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.40/hr | $3,883 | $46,600 | $37,461 |
| 90th Percentile | $23.17/hr | $4,017 | $48,200 | $38,668 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,900 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $38,900, which equates to approximately $3,242 per month or $18.70 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $18.70 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.17/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $32,300 at the 10th percentile to $36,600 at the 25th, $46,600 at the 75th, and $48,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
On a median gross salary of $38,900, an estimated $31,655 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,218 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,245 (an effective rate of 18.6%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
On the median annual salary of $38,900, gross monthly income is $3,242. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,638 per month (or $1,218 every two weeks).
Is $38,900 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
At $38,900, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 42.8% 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.