Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $39,780. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $38,130, indicating a modest premium for this role within the region. Local economic factors and demand dynamics likely contribute to this slightly elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $39,780 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $49,120.
- Outlook: The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area boasts a substantial workforce of 13,900 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. With a Location Quotient of 1.07, this region shows a slightly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a robust and stable job market for institutional and cafeteria cooks.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns+4.3%above the national average.
$19.1
$765
$3,315
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area have experienced gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring general economic trends and inflation. This steady appreciation likely reflects an ongoing demand for skilled food service professionals within the region's diverse institutional settings.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Salary progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of the salary distribution. These percentile gaps highlight clear career progression opportunities within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $30,530 | $14.7 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $29,835 | $14.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $38,010 | $18.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $49,725 | $23.9 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $49,120 | $23.6 |
Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$39,780
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$39,780
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $39,780 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is comparable to the national standard, suggesting that the slightly higher nominal wage effectively balances out the cost of living.
Job Market Context
13,900
Total Jobs
3.107
Per 1K Jobs
1.07
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.07, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria roles compared to the national norm.
With a Location Quotient of 1.07, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area exhibits a slightly higher concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs than the national average. This indicates a healthy demand for these professionals, making the job market competitive but also offering ample opportunities for those seeking employment in this sector.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $34,390↓ 14% | 41 mi |
| Kenosha, WI Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $38,650↓ 3% | 51 mi |
| Kankakee, IL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $35,780↓ 10% | 55 mi |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $39,160↓ 2% | 59 mi |
| Niles, MI Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $35,270↓ 11% | 71 mi |
Comparing salaries near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $39,780. This typically ranges from $30,530 for entry-level positions to $49,120 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 4.3% higher than the national median of $38,130.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Yes, it offers a slightly above-average earning potential.The average salary of $39,780 slightly exceeds the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating good relative compensation.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Michigan City-La Porte, IN ($34,390) and Kenosha, WI.
How does the number of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs compare nationally?
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area has 3.107 jobs per 1,000 workers in this occupation, which is slightly above the national average, indicating a strong presence of these roles.
What is the total number of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Chicago area?
There are approximately 13,900 individuals employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.
Does the cost of living affect the salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Chicago?
The cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is at the national average (100), meaning the slightly higher average salary of $39,780 provides purchasing power consistent with the national median.
How concentrated are Cook, Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Chicago compared to other areas?
The Location Quotient of 1.07 suggests that Cook, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are slightly more concentrated in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area than the national average, implying a slightly higher demand relative to the overall workforce.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 13,900 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 3.107 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, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN