Chef Salary in Illinois (2026)
$28.29 per hour · take-home ≈ $46,538/year ($3,878/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 35th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 7% below the national average. Of the 8,290 Chef jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $58,830 a year — though pay ranges from $40,330 for newcomers to $88,420 at the top.
Chef pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $40,330 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $50,000 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $58,830 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $73,620 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $88,420 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 8,290 Chef jobs in Illinois (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median Chef salary of $58,830 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $46,538 — an effective tax rate of 20.9%.
| Gross (median) | $58,830 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,880 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,500 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$2,912 |
| Take-home (annual) | $46,538 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,878 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Illinois?
- The median Chef salary in Illinois is $58,830 per year ($28.29 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $50,000 and $73,620.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $58,830, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $46,538 per year ($3,878 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.9%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 8,290 Chef jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Illinois
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Illinois state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Illinois.