As of July 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Chicago is:
- $16.60 per hour for non-tipped employees (employers with 4 or more employees)
- $12.62 per hour for tipped employees, such as restaurant servers and bartenders (employers must ensure total wages including tips meet or exceed the full minimum wage of $16.60)
- Youth workers under 18 and those in subsidized youth employment programs have a minimum wage of $16.50 per hour if non-tipped, and $12.54 if tipped
These wage rates are part of ongoing annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index or 2.5%, whichever is lower, and apply specifically within the City of Chicago. The Illinois statewide minimum wage is $15.00 per hour as of January 1, 2025. Additionally, employees working under City of Chicago contracts or concessionaire agreements have a higher minimum wage of $17.80 per hour for non-tipped workers starting July 1, 2025.
