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Bartenders vs Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in Illinois

Side-by-side Illinois-specific salary data. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

Illinois Salary Overview IL

Bartenders

Median in Illinois
$29,120
Average (Mean)
$35,340
Employed in IL
40,520
VS

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Median in Illinois
$34,380
Average (Mean)
$35,320
Employed in IL
15,340
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $5,260 more in Illinois (+18.1%)

Key Metrics in Illinois

  Bartenders Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary $29,120 $34,380
Mean Salary $35,340 $35,320
Employment in Illinois 40,520 15,340
Entry-Level (P10) $29,120 $29,400
Top Earners (P90) $51,270 $41,740

Illinois vs National Average

How do Illinois salaries compare to the U.S. average?

  Bartenders Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
National Median $32,436 $32,441
Illinois vs National $-3,316 +$1,938

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more in Illinois: Bartenders or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
In Illinois, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns a higher median salary than Bartenders. The salary difference is $5,260 (18.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
How does the Bartenders salary in Illinois compare to the national average?
The median salary for Bartenders in Illinois is $29,120, which is $3,316 below the national average of $32,436.
How does the Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Illinois compare nationally?
The median salary for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Illinois is $34,380, which is $1,938 above the national average of $32,441.
Where can I find Bartenders and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary data?
All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 data. Visit our individual salary pages for full state-by-state breakdowns.

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