Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Highest-paying jobs in Northwest Illinois
326 occupations with published wages, ranked
The highest median wage in Northwest Illinois belongs to Physicians, All Other, at $414,640 per year. The lowest published median is $31,200.
The 25 highest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All Other | $414,640 | 150 | |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physicians | $278,820 | 30 | |
| 3 | Nurse Anesthetists | $239,200 | 60 | |
| 4 | Chief Executives | $234,030 | 50 | |
| 5 | Dentists, General | $223,580 | 60 | |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $159,510 | 170 | |
| 7 | Pharmacists | $138,680 | 160 | |
| 8 | Physician Assistants | $136,410 | 50 | |
| 9 | Marketing Managers | $135,900 | 160 | |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $135,300 | 180 | |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioners | $134,310 | 190 | |
| 12 | Purchasing Managers | $131,180 | 50 | |
| 13 | Managers, All Other | $129,580 | 260 | |
| 14 | Financial Managers | $129,280 | 650 | |
| 15 | Human Resources Managers | $128,820 | 150 | |
| 16 | Sales Managers | $127,700 | 330 | |
| 17 | Industrial Production Managers | $124,950 | 400 | |
| 18 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $110,930 | 70 | |
| 19 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $107,990 | 200 | |
| 20 | Veterinarians | $105,590 | 80 | |
| 21 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,120 | 330 | |
| 22 | Lawyers | $104,110 | 240 | |
| 23 | Software Developers | $103,910 | 200 | |
| 24 | Electrical Engineers | $102,960 | 80 | |
| 25 | Computer Network Architects | $102,030 | 40 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | 70 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,200 | 130 |
| Bartenders | $31,200 | 1,430 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 | 2,730 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $31,200 | 1,800 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | 230 |
| Dishwashers | $31,200 | 370 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | 260 |
| Animal Caretakers | $31,200 | 200 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | 170 |
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.
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