SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Northwest Illinois
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL is $31,200 a year, trailing the national median of $35,230 by 11.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL is $31,200 a year, trailing the national median of $35,230 by 11.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,200 and $31,200. The lowest tenth earn under $31,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $44,290.
The area has 1,800 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.97 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Bloomington records the highest median at $31,200. Of the 326 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 319th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −11.4% |
| 25th | $31,200 | −11.4% |
| Median (50th) | $31,200 | −11.4% |
| 75th | $31,200 | −11.4% |
| 90th | $44,290 | +25.7% |
| Mean | $34,590 | −1.8% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomington | $31,200 | 1,370 | |
| 2 | Champaign | $31,200 | 1,500 | |
| 3 | Chicago | $31,200 | 54,100 | |
| 4 | Decatur | $31,200 | 530 | |
| 5 | Kankakee | $31,200 | 550 | |
| 6 | Peoria | $31,200 | 2,340 | |
| 7 | Rockford | $31,200 | 1,710 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $31,200 | 1,600 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Illinois sit close to the national average, so $31,200 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$31,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,200US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,200 a year, 11.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $44,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,800 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bloomington, at $31,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Northwest Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $31,200, or $15.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,230, so pay in Northwest Illinois, IL is 11.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL earns more than $44,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bloomington, at $31,200 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,800 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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