As Fight for 15 Protests Grow, Which Illinois Jobs Pay the Least?

Low-wage earners across the country escalated their push for a $15 minimum wage Tuesday through a day of national protests.

Members of the Fight for 15 movement held a “Day of Disruption” as fast food workers and airport employees from 340 cities across the United States called for higher pay and fairer working conditions. Dozens were arrested during the demonstrations.

In Chicago, workers at McDonald’s, O’Hare International Airport, rideshare drivers and hospital workers walked off the job. A demonstration in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood blocked off traffic. At least 50 people were ticketed outside the local McDonald’s.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. In Illinois, it’s $8.25. Chicago, by law, pays its employees a minimum of $10.50 an hour. That amount will rise to $13 in July 2019.

What are the lowest-paying occupations in Illinois? We took a look at data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and found these jobs have some of the lowest hourly wages.

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