Bartenders Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$31,200
- 50th Percentile — Median$31,200
- 75th Percentile — Senior$31,780
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$46,520
Half of Bartenders in Illinois earn more than $31,200. The top 10% make $46,520 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Bartenders in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 32nd of 51 states for Bartenders pay, at $35,550 per year (12.8% below the U.S. average of $40,790).
- 43,010 people work as Bartenders in Illinois — 5.7% of all U.S. Bartenders jobs.
- Location quotient 1.45: Bartenders jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $46,520.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.09 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $76,740.
- Among hospitality jobs in Illinois, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($62,810).
Bartenders Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Bartenders here earn $35,550 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $35,550 is roughly equivalent to $33,857 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($36,560), Mississippi ($36,510), Nevada ($36,210) are the closest alternatives for Bartenders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $62,810/yr Illinois +76.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $45,710/yr Illinois +28.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $39,520/yr Illinois +11.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,210/yr Illinois +10.3% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,610/yr Illinois +0.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,340/yr Illinois 0.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,280/yr Illinois 3.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,800/yr Illinois 4.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Bartenders salary in Illinois?
The average Bartenders salary in Illinois is $35,550 per year (median $31,200), which is 12.8% below the national average of $40,790.
How does Illinois rank for Bartenders pay?
Illinois ranks 32nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($76,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Bartenders make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Bartenders in Illinois earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $31,200.
How much do Bartenders make per hour in Illinois?
About $17.09 per hour, based on the $35,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Bartenders work in Illinois?
BLS counts 43,010 Bartenders jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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