Waiters and Waitresses 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$32,720
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$49,470
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois earn more than $31,200. The top 10% make $49,470 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 32nd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $35,610 per year (11.1% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 72,900 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois — 3.2% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.82: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $49,470.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Illinois, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($62,810).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $35,610 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $35,610 is roughly equivalent to $33,914 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($37,850), Utah ($37,360), Nevada ($36,870) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses 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 +76.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $45,710/yr Illinois +28.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $39,520/yr Illinois +11.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $39,210/yr Illinois +10.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $35,550/yr Illinois 0.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $35,340/yr Illinois 0.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,280/yr Illinois 3.7% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,800/yr Illinois 5.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Illinois?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Illinois is $35,610 per year (median $31,200), which is 11.1% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Illinois rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Illinois ranks 32nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $31,200.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Illinois?
About $17.12 per hour, based on the $35,610 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Illinois?
BLS counts 72,900 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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