Chef Salary in Rockford, IL — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Rockford's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Rockford — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Rockford
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Rockford
Rockford has a metro population of 345,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Rockford
Other Professions in Rockford
Chef Salary — Other Illinois Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Rockford, IL?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Rockford is $48,904 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Rockford's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $35,566 (25th percentile) to $66,881 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $87,748.
Is Rockford affordable for a Chef?
On a $48,904 annual salary, a Chef in Rockford would spend approximately 19.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($780/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Rockford relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $145,000 is 3.0× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Rockford's overall income?
Rockford's median household income is $51,000. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $48,904 earns 4.1% less than the typical Rockford household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Rockford has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.