Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
In Champaign-Urbana, IL, Cooks, Fast Food earn an average annual salary of $31,310. This figure is slightly above the national average of $31,130, indicating a stable, albeit not significantly higher, compensation landscape for this role. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the food service industry in Champaign-Urbana contribute to this pay rate.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $31,310 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 34.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $36,340.
- Outlook: The Champaign-Urbana, IL market for Cooks, Fast Food shows a moderate level of concentration, with a Location Quotient of 0.73. While this suggests a slightly lower presence of these roles compared to the national average, the total local workforce of 330 indicates a consistent demand. The 3.153 jobs per 1,000 workers further points to a steady, albeit not booming, job market for fast food cooks in the area.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL earns+0.6%above the national average.
$15.1
$602
$2,609
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Champaign-Urbana is not provided, it's reasonable to assume that, similar to national trends, salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in this region have experienced gradual growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing minimum wages, and evolving labor market dynamics likely contribute to a modest upward trend in compensation for these essential service positions.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Champaign-Urbana, IL
The salary progression for Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL, like elsewhere, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally command lower salaries, while experienced cooks, shift leaders, or those with specialized skills can expect to earn significantly more. The percentile gaps in salary data, though not detailed here, would reflect this career trajectory, with senior roles occupying the higher salary brackets.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $29,120 | $14 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $23,483 | $11.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $29,530 | $14.2 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $39,138 | $18.8 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $36,340 | $17.5 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$31,310
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$31,310
Adjusted for COL (100)
With an average annual salary of $31,310 and a Cost of Living Index of 100 (matching the national average), the nominal income for a Cook, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL, offers a purchasing power equivalent to the national standard. This means that while the salary is not exceptionally high, it is well-aligned with the general cost of goods and services in the area, suggesting a balanced financial standing for residents in this profession.
Job Market Context
330
Total Jobs
3.153
Per 1K Jobs
0.73
Location Quotient
Champaign-Urbana, IL has 0.73x the national average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.73 for Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL, indicates that this profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the demand exists, the market may not be saturated, potentially offering opportunities for skilled individuals. The total local workforce of 330 signifies a stable, established presence of these roles within the community's employment landscape.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $30,800↓ 2% | 39 mi |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $30,750↓ 2% | 41 mi |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $30,270↓ 3% | 41 mi |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $30,280↓ 3% | 41 mi |
Comparing salaries near Champaign-Urbana, IL
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $31,310. This typically ranges from $29,120 for entry-level positions to $36,340 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Champaign-Urbana, IL is 0.6% higher than the national median of $31,130.
Is Champaign-Urbana, IL a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not exceptionally lucrative, but stable.The average salary is slightly above the national average, and the cost of living is also at the national average, indicating a balanced but not highly profitable market for fast food cooks.
Is Champaign-Urbana, IL a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Champaign-Urbana, IL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Decatur, IL ($30,800) and West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area.
How does the salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana compare to the national average?
Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL earn an average of $31,310 annually, which is slightly higher than the national average of $31,130.
What is the Cost of Living in Champaign-Urbana, IL for Cooks, Fast Food?
The Cost of Living Index in Champaign-Urbana, IL is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means the salary of $31,310 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
Is there high demand for Cooks, Fast Food in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The market shows a steady demand with 3.153 jobs per 1,000 workers and a total local workforce of 330, though the Location Quotient of 0.73 suggests it's slightly less concentrated than the national average.
How does experience affect a Cook, Fast Food salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
While specific data isn't provided, experience typically leads to higher salaries for Cooks, Fast Food, with senior roles commanding better pay than entry-level positions.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 330 employees in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area with a job density of 3.153 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL