Food Service Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Food Service Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $65,620 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,802 take-home, or $4,317 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food service manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,694
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,068
- Medicare (1.45%)$951
- Illinois income tax$3,103
- Take-home pay$51,802
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Food Service Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,940 | $17.28 | $29,424 | $2,452 |
| 25th percentile | $55,990 | $26.92 | $44,541 | $3,712 |
| Median (50th) | $65,620 | $31.55 | $51,802 | $4,317 |
| 75th percentile | $82,530 | $39.68 | $62,949 | $5,246 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,440 | $48.29 | $74,663 | $6,222 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,620 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food service manager's $51,802 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,005 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.2× the national concentration of food service manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for food service managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #21 of 23 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa, FL | $80,180 | $65,237 | $64,661 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $92,650 | $69,597 | $64,283 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $75,730 | $59,902 | $62,596 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $75,460 | $59,414 | $61,033 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $75,070 | $59,337 | $57,859 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $81,170 | $65,933 | $57,758 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $88,290 | $65,813 | $56,925 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $82,970 | $63,316 | $56,249 |
| 21 | Chicago, IL | $65,620 | $51,802 | $50,005 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 23 metros →
About the job: food service managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food service manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median food service manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $65,620 a year, or about $31.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,990 and $82,530.
What is a food service manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $65,620 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $51,802 a year ($4,317 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,103 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a food service manager?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $69,390. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,005 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #21 of 23 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food service manager afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median food service manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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