Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Others in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $37,900 a year, or about $18.22 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $36,587 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 68.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $38K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About food preparation and serving related workers, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level food preparation and serving related workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $55K or more - a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62K | +78% | N/A |
| Arizona | $37K | +6% | 1,040 |
| Indiana | $37K | +6% | N/A |
| Illinois | $37K | +5% | 4,250 |
| Oregon | $37K | +5% | 200 |
| Maryland | $36K | +5% | 4,330 |
| California | $36K | +4% | 31,750 |
| New Hampshire | $36K | +4% | 310 |
| Nevada | $36K | +2% | 1,370 |
| New Mexico | $36K | +2% | 200 |
| Wyoming | $35K | +1% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $35K | +1% | 4,230 |
| Wisconsin | $35K | +0% | 560 |
| Michigan | $34K | -1% | 960 |
| Florida | $34K | -2% | 5,400 |
Track food preparation and serving related workers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation and serving related workers, all others make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $37,900 a year - that works out to about $18.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced food preparation and serving related workers, all others can clear $54,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,551/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 69.8% 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 food preparation and serving related workers, all other salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food preparation and serving related workers, all other salary is worth about $36,587 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food preparation and serving related workers, all others 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.