The minimum wage in Joliet is $15.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $20.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Joliet.
The minimum wage in Joliet is the Illinois statewide rate of $15.00/hour. Joliet follows the Illinois statewide minimum wage, which reached $15.00/hour in 2025. The city sits outside Cook County, so the higher Cook County and Chicago rates do not apply. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Joliet. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,300/month and a cost-of-living index of 99 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Joliet, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $41.00 | $85,280 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $15,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Will County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Joliet.
Joliet is one of the largest inland intermodal freight hubs in North America, with sprawling rail yards and warehousing that serve the Chicago region, alongside manufacturing, two casinos, and one of the fastest-growing populations in Illinois.
| Local Metric | Joliet (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 150,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Will County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 99 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $41.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,600/month |
| Median home price | $270,000 |
| Median household income | $80,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.75% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.3% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Joliet is the Illinois statewide rate of $15.00/hour. Joliet follows the Illinois statewide minimum wage, which reached $15.00/hour in 2025. The city sits outside Cook County, so the higher Cook County and Chicago rates do not apply. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Will County needs about $20.00/hour (roughly $41,600/year) to cover basic costs. That is $5.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $41.00/hour.
At $15.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,400/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Joliet is about $1,300/month, or $15,600/year.
Joliet follows the Illinois statewide minimum wage, which reached $15.00/hour in 2025. The city sits outside Cook County, so the higher Cook County and Chicago rates do not apply.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Illinois sets a higher state minimum wage of $15.00/hour, reached in 2025, which applies in Joliet instead of the federal floor.