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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Illinois for 2026
Reflecting on my high school job at the local movie theater, I remember the joy of earning minimum wage while enjoying free popcorn and movies. Back then, making $5.86 an hour seemed sufficient, but today’s living standards make that seem unimaginable.
This nostalgia got me curious about who currently earns the least in Illinois.
Building on our analysis of the highest paying jobs in Illinois, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to pinpoint the lowest paying jobs in the state.
Our research reveals that Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers rank as the lowest paid positions in Illinois.
Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Illinois:
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Shampooers
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Cashiers
- Dishwashers
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
For further insights into the pay scales of low-wage jobs, continue reading or explore additional resources about the Illinois job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Chicago, IL
- These Are The 10 Best Places in Illinois to Get a Job
- These Are The 20 Best Small Companies in Chicago to Work For
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Illinois
We analyzed the BLS dataset, considering all job classifications in Illinois to identify the positions that offer the lowest salaries.
We will update this data annually as new statistics become available from the BLS. The most recent data is current as of May 2026.
For more insights, check out:
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs in Illinois for Recent College Graduates
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in Illinois
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Chicago
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Illinois
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $21,340 |
| 2 | Cooks, Fast Food | $21,690 |
| 3 | Shampooers | $22,110 |
| 4 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $22,240 |
| 5 | Pressers, Textile, Garment, And Related Materials | $22,530 |
| 6 | Waiters And Waitresses | $22,900 |
| 7 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $22,990 |
| 8 | Cashiers | $23,380 |
| 9 | Dishwashers | $23,430 |
| 10 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $23,560 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
