Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Champaign, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Champaign-Urbana, IL

Median annual salary $29,120 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $14.00
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $43,630
Employed locally 1,640
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Champaign, IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $29,120
    50th (median)
    $29,120
    75th
    $30,300
    90th
    $43,630

    Champaign economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,558 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 45% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 55% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $47,080
    Charlottesville, VA $37,960
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $36,290
    Niles, MI $36,060
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $36,060

    Related occupations in Champaign, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,270
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,490
    Bartenders $29,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,670
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,650
    Food Preparation Workers $31,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Champaign?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Champaign, IL is $14.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.52 or more per hour.

    Is Champaign above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Champaign, IL is 13.7% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Champaign?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Champaign, IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,120.