11. Illinois
Annual median wage: $38,160
Cost of living index: 95.5
Employment: 4,560
Illinois is also popular for its many theme parks, hotels, and restaurants. Most people would say it is a great vacation destination, which could also explain their high employment rates for chefs and head cooks. Their wages are not that high–not even on the average, but could already go a long way with their very affordable cost of living rates. Plus, the many job opportunities look so appealing. You could even get a second cooking job to earn even more.