The minimum wage is $8.25 per hour for most employees in Illinois, with exceptions for tipped employees, some student workers, and other exempt occupations.^[1]

In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called on Congress to raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $9.00 per hour. If this new law is passed, all Illinois employees will be entitled to earn the new national Minimum Wage of $9.00 per hour.

The Illinois minimum wage applies to all companies with four or more employees. Minors under age 18 may be paid up to $0.50 less then the Illinois minimum wage, and tipped employees can be paid 60% of the current Illinois minimum wage.

Illinois supports a number of exemptions to the minimum wage besides the two mentioned above, such as special exemptions for disabled workers employed in sheltered workshop environments. Illinois' under-18 minimum wage is $7.75 for normal work, and $4.65 for tipped employees.

Illinois employers may not pay you under $8.25 per hour unless you or your occupation are specifically exempt from the minimum wage under state or federal law.

All Illinois employers must display an approved Illinois minimum wage poster in a prominent place to inform employees about the minimum wage and their worker's rights under Illinois labor law.

If you have questions about the Illinois minimum wage, please ask us and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. Looking for a new job? Use the free Illinois job search utility to find local job openings hiring now.

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Professional Illinois Labor Law Posters - Updated for 2013

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Illinois labor law requires all employers in Illinois to visibly display an approved Illinois minimum wage poster, and other Illinois and federal labor law posters, to ensure that all employees are aware of federal and Illinois labor law and overtime regulations. Failure to display a Illinois labor law poster in the workplace can result in severe fines.

2013 Illinois State and Federal All-In-One Labor Law Poster

Updated for 2013 - 24x36 heavy laminated Illinois all-in-one labor law compliance poster including Illinois minimum wage law and all mandatory workplace notices for full FLSA compliance.

$19.99

For a 5% discount, use coupon update2013 at checkout

The Illinois minimum wage poster, and additional required Illinois labor law posters, are also available on the Illinois labor law posters download page. Posters provided by Compliance Assistance.

In addition to any Illinois-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers. You may be paid under the Illinois minimum wage if you fit into one of the following categories:

• Illinois Under 20 Minimum Wage - $4.25 - Federal law allows any employer in Illinois to pay a new employee who is under 20 years of age a training wage of $4.25 per hour for the first 90 days of employment.
• Illinois Student Minimum Wage - $7.01 - Full-time high school or college students who work part-time may be paid 85% of the Illinois minimum wage (as little as $7.01 per hour) for up to 20 hours of work at certain employers.
• Illinois Tipped Minimum Wage - $4.95 - Employees who earn a certain amount of tips every month may be paid a special cash minimum wage, but must earn at least $8.25 including tips every hour. For more details, read about the Illinois tipped wage.

What is minimum wage in Illinois?

The current Illinois minimum wage of $8.25 per hour is the lowest amount a non-exempt employee in Illinois can legally be paid for hourly work. Special minimum wage rates, such as the "Illinois waitress minimum wage" for tipped employees, may apply to certain workers.^[1]

How much will I earn working a minimum wage job in Illinois?

A full time minimum wage worker in Illinois working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, will earn $66.00 per day, $330.00 per week, and $17,160.00 per year¹. The national poverty line for a family unit consisting of two people is $14,570 per year.

What is the Illinois under 18 minimum wage?

Illinois employers may pay 18 year olds and minors the youth minimum wage of $4.25 for the first 90 days of employment. Other labor law exemptions for minors in Illinois may exist.

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¹ These estimates do not account for the Illinois income tax , federal income tax, or local/municipal income taxes.