Food For Thought Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Food For Thought in the United States is $36. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $74,971. Salaries at Food For Thought typically range from $32 to $41 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Food For Thought Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Food For Thought. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Director of Communications, with an hourly wage of $93. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Back End Software Developer

$52 / hour

Salary Range: $47 - $57

Software Development

Blockchain Developer/Analyst (Freelance Contract, Remote)

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $34 - $46

Trading

Cloud SA

$50 / hour

Salary Range: $44 - $57

IT Management

CNO Analyst/Programmer

$22 / hour

Salary Range: $20 - $25

Manufacturing

Communications Marketing Manager (Freelance Contract, Remote)

$52 / hour

Salary Range: $46 - $58

Marketing Management

Computer Scientist

$44 / hour

Salary Range: $40 - $49

Environmental Engineering

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

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About Food For Thought: Company Profile

Website
www.foodforthoughtchicago.com
Founded In
2009
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Retail & Wholesale
Headquarter Location
CHICAGO
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Food For Thought Enterprises is a family of 500+ employees who share a vision of inspiring magical moments through exceptional food and hospitality - wherever you celebrate, wherever you work, and whenever your moment matters most. Founded as a catering company over 30 years ago around a dining room table, Food For Thought has grown to serve more than 2.5 million people annually through catered ev

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Food For Thought's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
The work-life balance is fair, and the benefits package is solid. I’ve had opportunities to take on new projects, which have helped me develop my skills. The culture is collaborative, and the leadership team is genuinely invested in employee growth. The company maintains a good reputation in the Retail & Wholesale industry, and operations run smoothly. The retail hours can be long, but it’s worth ...
The company invests in its employees with training and development programs. The company has a fantastic culture and values employee input. Competitive pay for the industry. The leadership team is engaged and approachable. The team is professional, and the workload is predictable.
One of the best things about working here is the people. The work environment is clean and well-maintained. The company also supports community initiatives, which adds to its positive reputation. It’s a motivating place to work.
Compensation is above industry average, and performance-based rewards are common. The benefits are excellent, and the work culture is collaborative. Definitely a positive workplace. The company has a strong vision, and employees are aligned with its goals.

Is Food For Thought’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Food For Thought's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
FAST LANE $31
-15.0%
FAST LANE focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CONVENIENCE CENTER $32
-11.7%
FRANKLIN COUNTY CONVENIENCE CENTER operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
FRANK'S FOOD MART, INC. $34
-6.7%
FRANK'S FOOD MART, INC. may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
CITY OF ST. CHARLES, MO $34
-7.0%
CITY OF ST. CHARLES, MO likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
Retail & Wholesale Industry $60
+64.5%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Chicago?

Understanding the cost of living near Chicago is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Food For Thought.
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). Major US city, housing varies greatly by neighborhood but can be high, extensive CTA transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Food For Thought, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of Food For Thought salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $105 (CTA 30-day pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,225 - $5,025+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Food For Thought

FAQ 1: How much does a Food For Thought employee make?
Food For Thought pays its employees an average of $36 per hour. The average salary at Food For Thought range from $32 to $41 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Food For Thought?
The salary at Food For Thought is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Food For Thought is $74,971, or an hourly wage of $36, in comparison to FAST LANE which pays $63,708 per year or $31 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Food For Thought?
In many roles at Food For Thought, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Chicago affect the perceived value of a Food For Thought salary?
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Food For Thought based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Chicago" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Food For Thought typically offer employees?
Food For Thought generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Food For Thought" section on this page.