Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
Illinois employs 72,900 Waiters and Waitresses professionals, above the national average concentration.
Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19
The location quotient (LQ) of 1.64 indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average concentration of Waiters and Waitresses professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.
Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.
The average annual salary for a Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois is $35,610. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.
Illinois employs approximately 72,900 Waiters and Waitresses professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Illinois among the top states nationwide.
Yes — Illinois has above-average concentration of Waiters and Waitresses jobs (LQ: 1.64). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.
The average (mean) salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Illinois is $35610/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.
Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.
The top state for Waiters and Waitresses employment is California with 229,970 jobs.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Illinois's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Illinois's leading institutions.
Compare Waiters and Waitresses labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.
Drill deeper into Waiters and Waitresses pay, hiring, and education data for Illinois.
Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Waiters and Waitresses (SOC 353031) in Illinois.