Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Illinois
Median annual wage in Illinois: $31,200 -11.4% vs national
Illinois vs United States
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $31,200 | $35,230 |
| Median hourly | $15.00 | $16.94 |
| Employment | 72,900 | 2,270,910 |
| Location quotient | 0.82 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Illinois) · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
The numbers in context
The median wage in Illinois is 11.4% below the national median — a difference of about $4,030 per year for a typical worker.
The mean wage of $35,610 sits 14.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average waiters and waitresses salary in Illinois?
The median annual wage in Illinois is $31,200 ($15.00 per hour), per BLS OES May 2024 data.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for waiters and waitresses?
The Illinois median of $31,200 is 11.4% lower than the U.S. median of $35,230.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Illinois?
Approximately 72,900 are employed in Illinois, per BLS OES.