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Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage

Highest-paying jobs in Chicago

716 occupations with published wages, ranked

The highest median wage in Chicago belongs to Radiologists, at $479,910 per year. The lowest published median is $31,200.

The 25 highest-paying occupations

Median annual wage · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · May 2025
#OccupationMedianJobsRelative
1Radiologists$479,910
2Cardiologists$475,590150
3Surgeons, All Other$462,620340
4Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$446,51050
5Dermatologists$435,750
6Chief Executives$344,9603,610
7Physicians, Pathologists$336,660
8Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$293,4906,360
9Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$284,630510
10Dentists, All Other Specialists$269,160150
11Nurse Anesthetists$265,880840
12Psychiatrists$258,750600
13Emergency Medicine Physicians$239,200960
14General Internal Medicine Physicians$226,060680
15Family Medicine Physicians$225,0801,430
16Obstetricians and Gynecologists$208,0001,120
17Air Traffic Controllers$189,780850
18Pediatricians, General$188,340860
19Computer and Information Systems Managers$173,76024,950
20Financial Managers$168,81041,590
21Podiatrists$167,140
22Natural Sciences Managers$167,0402,270
23Advertising and Promotions Managers$166,390160
24Lawyers$165,66028,320
25Medical Dosimetrists$165,620110

At the other end of the scale

Source and methodology

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Rankings cover only occupations for which a median wage was published; occupations the survey suppressed do not appear. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.

25 Highest-Paying Jobs in Chicago (2025) | Salary Explorer