Waiter Jobs in Illinois
Waiter jobs in Illinois are open across Chicago, Gridley, and Waterloo and other Illinois metros, with employers like American Water, Watershed Foods, and Hornblower hiring at every experience level. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Summary:
The successful Server is technically competent in serving food and beverages, is hospitable and cordial to guests and coworkers, acts safely and responsibly, and is knowledgeable about the vessel and the skyline.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our service systems, RESPECT.
- Greet guests and serve food and beverages in a timely fashion.
- Accurately take orders and enter them into the point-of-sale system.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations.
- Participate in the celebration and entertainment experience of the guest.
- Set up and break down dining room and service stations as prescribed; this requires movement of dining cabin furniture.
- Accurately collect payment from guests for on-board purchases.
- Provide information to guests including menu descriptions, order of service, entertainment options, cruise route and points of interest.
- Be prepared to begin work at the scheduled time.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Assist with the warm and efficient greeting and seating of guests when they arrive.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- One (1) year experience in high volume restaurant preferred.
- Will work for extended periods without sitting.
- Required to lift furniture and other heavy items such as dishes up and down stairs.
- Must meet minimum state age requirements.
- Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Maintain a high level of organization, detailed oriented and meet deadlines.
- Handle multiple tasks/projects at one time.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibility.
- Listen effectively, assess the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions.
- Have a working knowledge of computer skills, including but not limited to proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.
- Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Will be required to be available for work nights, weekends and on all major holidays.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
See All 69 Waiter Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Waiter JobsWaiter Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Waiter Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- American Water9

- Watershed Foods9

- Hornblower4

- Evoqua Water Technologies3

Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage10
- Waste Management & Environmental Services9
- Consulting & Professional Services7
- Technology & Software6
- Transportation & Logistics6
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in waiter jobs across Illinois.
- Prior experience in a full-service or table-service restaurant setting
- Current food handler or food safety certification such as ServSafe
- Responsible alcohol service certification such as TIPS or RBS
- Ability to carry multiple plates and stand for an entire shift
- Working knowledge of a point-of-sale system such as Toast or Aloha
- Familiarity with allergen protocols and dietary restriction communication
Waiter Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How many waiter jobs are there in Illinois?
There are 69+ waiter openings in Illinois on Migrate Mate as of June 2026, with the most roles in Chicago, Gridley, and Waterloo. New positions post regularly as employers across Illinois hire.
How much do waiters make in Illinois?
Waiters in Illinois earn a median of about $31,200 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $31,200 for the lowest 10% to over $49,470 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which Illinois cities have the most waiter jobs?
Chicago, Gridley, and Waterloo have the most waiter openings in Illinois right now, with additional roles spread across smaller metros statewide.
Which companies hire waiters in Illinois?
Employers hiring waiters in Illinois include American Water, Watershed Foods, and Hornblower, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote waiter jobs in Illinois?
Yes. About 12% of waiter openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in Illinois metros.
How do I apply for waiter jobs in Illinois?
You can apply to waiter jobs in Illinois directly on Migrate Mate. Search the listings above, find roles that match your experience and preferred Illinois location, then apply to each one that fits.
See All 69 Waiter Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Waiter Jobs