What jobs pay in Chicago, IL
Typical yearly pay for 45 common jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, highest first. The last column ranks each job’s pay here against the 50 largest US metros after taxes and local prices.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
| Job | Typical pay | Middle half | Rank after cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT manager | $173,760 | $138,190–$214,880 | No. 34 |
| Financial manager | $168,810 | $131,120–$220,150 | No. 29 |
| Lawyer | $165,660 | $106,980–$232,270 | No. 17 |
| Marketing manager | $165,340 | $127,450–$213,290 | No. 17 |
| Sales manager | $158,690 | $110,000–$212,000 | No. 17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $126,050–$163,710 | No. 41 |
| Software developer | $134,380 | $104,530–$167,650 | No. 38 |
| Nurse practitioner | $131,740 | $118,710–$149,150 | No. 44 |
| Physician assistant | $127,940 | $122,780–$145,600 | No. 47 |
| Construction manager | $117,280 | $82,330–$151,650 | No. 34 |
| Industrial designer | $112,950 | $80,040–$112,950 | No. 3 |
| General and operations manager | $109,390 | $76,900–$175,170 | No. 37 |
| Police officer | $107,810 | $86,630–$107,810 | No. 6 |
| Data scientist | $107,640 | $84,600–$138,210 | No. 43 |
| Physical therapist | $105,720 | $98,120–$123,720 | No. 36 |
| Project manager | $105,320 | $82,770–$133,980 | No. 36 |
| Management analyst | $105,090 | $81,580–$137,080 | No. 27 |
| Plumber | $103,380 | $74,300–$122,540 | No. 1 |
| Electrician | $102,350 | $74,400–$118,660 | No. 1 |
| Mechanical engineer | $102,070 | $83,140–$130,310 | No. 45 |
| Financial analyst | $101,750 | $79,330–$129,950 | No. 26 |
| Registered nurse | $100,490 | $82,640–$108,430 | No. 23 |
| Dental hygienist | $100,260 | $86,330–$102,340 | No. 36 |
| Civil engineer | $100,160 | $80,020–$126,570 | No. 38 |
| High school teacher | $98,970 | $76,440–$126,420 | No. 4 |
| Web developer | $96,870 | $79,140–$117,100 | No. 21 |
| Web and digital interface designer | $87,920 | $73,220–$132,290 | No. 34 |
| Accountant | $82,360 | $72,280–$103,120 | No. 46 |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | $58,770–$113,970 | No. 1 |
| Marketing specialist | $80,400 | $62,160–$105,710 | No. 29 |
| Elementary school teacher | $78,390 | $60,630–$102,430 | No. 19 |
| HR specialist | $78,210 | $61,470–$100,550 | No. 30 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) | $78,070 | $72,860–$81,080 | No. 9 |
| HVAC technician | $77,960 | $61,050–$96,790 | No. 3 |
| Sales representative | $75,350 | $58,550–$101,640 | No. 26 |
| Graphic designer | $66,490 | $52,030–$83,590 | No. 31 |
| Truck driver | $62,300 | $50,580–$77,660 | No. 25 |
| IT support specialist | $60,730 | $47,950–$78,040 | No. 45 |
| Auto mechanic | $55,320 | $39,240–$78,370 | No. 29 |
| Administrative assistant | $50,440 | $42,260–$62,970 | No. 33 |
| Medical assistant | $47,270 | $40,690–$50,260 | No. 31 |
| Customer service representative | $47,100 | $38,260–$58,950 | No. 27 |
| Nursing assistant (CNA) | $46,940 | $42,940–$49,060 | No. 12 |
| Warehouse worker | $40,550 | $35,920–$47,640 | No. 46 |
| Retail salesperson | $35,820 | $33,800–$38,380 | No. 28 |