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Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Illinois

Fast Food and Counter Workers in Illinois make a median of $31,900 a year, or about $15.34 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$32K
Median annual
$15.34/hr
Hourly rate
$29K
Entry level (10th %)
$37K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $32K get you in Illinois?

Estimated monthly take-home$2,174/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,412/mo
Rent as % of take-home64.9% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$31,900/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$762/mo
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About fast food and counter workers

U.S. employed: 139,090
Category: Food Service
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois

Bar chart showing Fast Food and Counter Workers salary percentiles in Illinois: 10th percentile $29,120, 25th percentile $29,980, median $31,900, 75th percentile $34,690, 90th percentile $36,820. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$29K25th$30KMedian$32K75th$35K90th$37K
Bar chart showing Fast Food and Counter Workers salary percentiles in Illinois: 10th percentile $29,120, 25th percentile $29,980, median $31,900, 75th percentile $34,690, 90th percentile $36,820. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level fast food and counter workers (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $32K.Top earners bring in $37K or more - a $8K spread from bottom to top.

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
District of Columbia$38K+25%7,390
California$37K+21%438,950
Washington$37K+21%94,830
New York$35K+16%183,810
Massachusetts$35K+15%81,770
Vermont$35K+13%5,800
Oregon$34K+13%58,150
Alaska$34K+13%5,060
Maine$34K+13%16,520
Connecticut$34K+11%32,180
New Jersey$33K+9%86,980
Arizona$33K+8%86,640
Minnesota$32K+5%59,220
Illinois$32K+5%139,090
Maryland$31K+2%48,270

Track fast food and counter workers salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do fast food and counter workers make in Illinois?

The median is $31,900 a year - that works out to about $15.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced fast food and counter workers can clear $36,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $32K enough to live in Illinois?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,174/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 64.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a fast food and counter workers salary go in Illinois?

Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fast food and counter workers salary is worth about $31,900 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do fast food and counter workers get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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