salary$31,200 a year$15 an hour · median pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$31,200per year
Top pay (top 10%)$50,410per year
Jobs in the area54,100people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Chicago?
Expensive. Rent of $1,983 a month takes 76.3% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Chicago, IL?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area is $31,200 a year ($15 an hour). Most earn between $31,200 and $50,410.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Chicago?
Typical rent of $1,983 a month takes 76.3% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.