Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Illinois
Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $31,200 —11.4% below the national median of $35,230. That ranks IL #28 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.82× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | $29.99 | 14,090 | 1.54 |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | $28.43 | 4,040 | 0.91 |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | $26.98 | 45,400 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | $23.27 | 23,040 | 0.80 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | $23.01 | 11,530 | 1.12 |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | $22.61 | 142,940 | 1.01 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | $21.62 | 55,800 | 0.89 |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | $21.57 | 40,680 | 0.97 |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | $21.52 | 59,370 | 0.99 |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | $21.13 | 55,950 | 1.18 |
Related occupations in Illinois
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.
| Occupation | Illinois median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,910 | $31,200 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,580 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,470 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,850 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $31,200 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,960 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for waiters and waitresses in Illinois is $31,200, or $15.00 per hour. That is 11.4% below the national median of $35,230.
What is the entry-level waiters and waitresses salary in Illinois?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $31,200 per year ($15.00/hour). The 25th percentile is $31,200.
How many people work as waiters and waitresses in Illinois?
About 72,900 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 12.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Illinois a good state for waiters and waitresses?
Illinois ranks #28 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.82x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.
Which state pays waiters and waitresses the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $62,390 per year, followed by Vermont ($59,140) and Washington ($56,130).