Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Lowest-paying jobs in Illinois
747 occupations with published wages, ranked
The lowest published median wage in Illinois belongs to Bartenders, at $31,200 per year. The highest is $517,850.
The 10 lowest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bartenders | $31,200 | 43,010 | |
| 2 | Waiters and Waitresses | $31,200 | 72,900 | |
| 3 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | 21,290 | |
| 4 | Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 | 16,500 | |
| 5 | Gambling Dealers | $31,200 | 2,470 | |
| 6 | Telemarketers | $31,200 | 870 | |
| 7 | Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $32,200 | 230 | |
| 8 | Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | 11,660 | |
| 9 | Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $32,990 | 490 | |
| 10 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,710 | 5,880 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiologists | $517,850 | 340 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $438,010 | 620 |
| Dermatologists | $435,750 | — |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $426,580 | 170 |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $381,770 | — |
| Orthodontists | $343,100 | — |
| Chief Executives | $331,920 | 4,620 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $293,490 | 6,460 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $286,830 | 1,140 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $284,630 | 620 |
| Psychiatrists | $258,740 | 870 |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $250,880 | 230 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $245,120 | 1,960 |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $239,200 | 1,220 |
| Radiologists | $239,200 | — |
| Neurologists | $237,080 | 240 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $208,000 | 1,290 |
| Pediatricians, General | $196,760 | 1,180 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $181,560 | 990 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $171,730 | 31,680 |
| Podiatrists | $167,400 | — |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $167,330 | 160 |
| Financial Managers | $165,880 | 52,720 |
| Medical Dosimetrists | $163,860 | 140 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $163,610 | 8,900 |
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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