Waiters and Waitresses salary in Illinois — GUPPI −8.2%
What is the wage premium for Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois?
Illinois pays $31,200/year for Waiters and Waitresses (BLS OEWS May 2025) — −8.2% below the national employment-weighted average of $33,973. Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI): −8.2%. Updated annually from BLS OEWS.
Gera US Pay Premium Index
Illinois ranks #28 of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay. National employment-weighted average: $33,973.
How this is calculatedState median
$31,200
BLS OEWS May 2025
National avg
$33,973
Emp-weighted mean
State rank
#28
of 51 states
Waiters and Waitresses — GUPPI by US state
All states where BLS publishes a median, ranked highest premium first. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100.
| # | State | Median salary | GUPPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $62,390 | +83.6% |
| 2 | Vermont | $59,140 | +74.1% |
| 3 | Washington | $56,130 | +65.2% |
| 4 | Oregon | $48,410 | +42.5% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $47,850 | +40.8% |
| 6 | New York | $47,020 | +38.4% |
| 7 | New Jersey | $44,960 | +32.3% |
| 8 | Colorado | $44,860 | +32.0% |
| 9 | Virginia | $44,760 | +31.8% |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,950 | +29.4% |
| 11 | Maine | $43,370 | +27.7% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $38,460 | +13.2% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $38,430 | +13.1% |
| 14 | Connecticut | $37,770 | +11.2% |
| 15 | Michigan | $37,760 | +11.1% |
| 16 | New Mexico | $36,920 | +8.7% |
| 17 | Delaware | $36,880 | +8.6% |
| 18 | Maryland | $36,750 | +8.2% |
| 19 | Ohio | $36,700 | +8.0% |
| 20 | Florida | $36,150 | +6.4% |
| 21 | Kansas | $36,120 | +6.3% |
| 22 | California | $36,080 | +6.2% |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $35,420 | +4.3% |
| 24 | West Virginia | $35,380 | +4.1% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $34,690 | +2.1% |
| 26 | Nebraska | $33,770 | −0.6% |
| 27 | North Carolina | $32,150 | −5.4% |
| 28 | Illinois ← | $31,200 | −8.2% |
| 29 | Utah | $31,150 | −8.3% |
| 30 | North Dakota | $30,890 | −9.1% |
| 31 | Idaho | $30,050 | −11.5% |
| 32 | Kentucky | $29,660 | −12.7% |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $29,670 | −12.7% |
| 34 | Missouri | $29,400 | −13.5% |
| 35 | South Dakota | $28,990 | −14.7% |
| 36 | Indiana | $28,480 | −16.2% |
| 37 | Tennessee | $27,760 | −18.3% |
| 38 | Alabama | $26,840 | −21.0% |
| 39 | Nevada | $26,410 | −22.3% |
| 40 | Alaska | $26,310 | −22.6% |
| 41 | Minnesota | $25,470 | −25.0% |
| 42 | Arkansas | $24,680 | −27.4% |
| 43 | Wyoming | $23,920 | −29.6% |
| 44 | Montana | $23,370 | −31.2% |
| 45 | Texas | $23,240 | −31.6% |
| 46 | Mississippi | $21,370 | −37.1% |
| 47 | Iowa | $21,000 | −38.2% |
| 48 | Georgia | $18,700 | −45.0% |
| 49 | South Carolina | $18,370 | −45.9% |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $17,910 | −47.3% |
| 51 | Louisiana | $15,080 | −55.6% |
See how your salary compares — GUPPI calculator
Pick a US state and enter your gross annual salary. We show how it compares to the BLS state median for Waiters and Waitresses and to the national average (GUPPI).
BLS median salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois: $31,200 per year — 8.2% below the national average.
Enter a salary above to see your personal GUPPI position.
BLS OEWS May 2025. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. Full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do Waiters and Waitresses earn in Illinois?
- The BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois is $31,200. This is the midpoint — half of Waiters and Waitressess in the state earn more, half earn less.
- Is Illinois a high-paying state for Waiters and Waitresses?
- Illinois pays −8.2% below the national employment-weighted average for Waiters and Waitresses (GUPPI −8.2%). No — employers in Illinois pay below the national average for this role.
- What is the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI) for Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois?
- GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. For Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois: ($31,200 − $33,973) / $33,973 × 100 = −8.2%. See the methodology page for full formula and data source details.
- How does Illinois compare to other states for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?
- Illinois ranks #28 of 51 states where BLS publishes a median wage for Waiters and Waitresses, based on the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI −8.2%). Top-ranked state: Hawaii (GUPPI +83.6%, median $62,390).
Find Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Illinois with salary ranges
GeraJobs lists live vacancies where employers state salary ranges — search Illinois to see which roles match the GUPPI benchmark.
Compare other states for Waiters and Waitresses
Data source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · May 2025 state estimates · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)
GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All occupations