Illinois Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in Illinois Than Elsewhere

Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.

This table tells us which jobs are more common in Illinois, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.

Rank	Job	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Jobs 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers	$32,740	510	19.1
2	Terrazzo workers and finishers	$44,940	500	15.5
3	Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators	$30,060	200	14.8
4	Barbers	$26,770	760	13.6
5	Library science teachers, postsecondary	$59,500	460	10.5
6	Mine cutting and channeling machine operators	$30,880	100	9.5
7	Flight attendants	$44,700	10,520	9.3
8	Therapists	$43,770	1,220	7.4
9	Communications equipment operators	$35,705	290	7.4
10	Metal workers and plastic workers	$30,486	5,220	7.0
11	Rail car repairers	$37,650	780	6.6
12	Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers	$106,860	6,290	6.0
13	Nuclear engineers	$99,740	670	5.9
14	Patternmakers, metal and plastic	$26,800	320	5.7
15	Environmental science teachers, postsecondary	$75,370	270	5.5
16	Telephone operators	$36,700	910	5.4
17	Archivists	$45,490	450	5.1
18	Woodworkers	$20,940	280	5.0
19	Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters	$19,670	2,260	5.0
20	Occupational therapist aides	$34,090	480	4.9
21	Food preparation and serving related workers	$18,463	7,210	4.5
22	Geography teachers, postsecondary	$56,300	190	4.3
23	Social sciences teachers, postsecondary	$50,850	260	4.2
24	Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians	$17,550	1,470	4.1
25	Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	$34,163	2,750	3.8
26	Physicists	$92,260	1,290	3.6
27	Aircraft cargo handling supervisors	$32,220	480	3.4
28	Pile-driver operators	$64,550	220	3.4
29	Personal care and service workers	$21,420	5,640	3.3
30	Biological science teachers, postsecondary	$77,060	2,990	3.3
31	Boilermakers	$62,293	1,000	3.2
32	Physics teachers, postsecondary	$64,030	810	3.2
33	Shampooers	$18,595	1,660	3.2
34	Sales and related workers	$32,461	20,200	3.1
35	Chemistry teachers, postsecondary	$56,700	1,230	3.1
36	Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles	$70,830	700	3.1
37	Air traffic controllers	$130,150	900	2.9
38	Cooks	$19,972	750	2.9
39	Designers	$63,685	890	2.9
40	Health diagnosing and treating practitioners	$32,460	4,310	2.8
41	Radio mechanics	$36,500	150	2.8
42	Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	$35,415	5,410	2.8
43	Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary	$51,360	290	2.8
44	Food scientists and technologists	$61,260	410	2.8
45	Social workers	$40,320	5,210	2.8
46	Education, training, and library workers	$29,736	4,790	2.7
47	Forensic science technicians	$53,750	660	2.7
48	Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary	$68,710	240	2.7
49	Athletic trainers	$37,455	800	2.7
50	Engine and other machine assemblers	$28,910	1,200	2.7
51	Bridge and lock tenders	$45,370	120	2.6
52	Slaughterers and meat packers	$18,940	1,020	2.6
53	Model makers, metal and plastic	$39,490	190	2.5
54	Coil winders, tapers, and finishers	$24,730	800	2.5
55	Social science research assistants	$42,590	680	2.5
56	Atmospheric and space scientists	$62,300	260	2.4
57	Social work teachers, postsecondary	$53,390	170	2.4
58	Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners	$33,923	840	2.4
59	Plant and system operators	$37,916	630	2.4
60	Financial specialists	$54,535	10,070	2.4
61	Food cooking machine operators and tenders	$26,000	2,120	2.4
62	Sociology teachers, postsecondary	$63,675	770	2.4
63	Economics teachers, postsecondary	$64,360	620	2.4
64	Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	$29,910	2,460	2.4
65	Extraction workers	$31,600	170	2.3
66	Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers	$20,430	830	2.3
67	Media and communication equipment workers	$39,650	1,100	2.3
68	Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary	$52,880	300	2.3
69	Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary	$51,423	1,270	2.3
70	Anesthesiologists	$179,380	670	2.2
71	Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products	$47,686	540	2.2
72	Production workers	$28,772	19,400	2.2
73	Gaming cage workers	$25,590	850	2.2
74	Law teachers, postsecondary	$90,320	420	2.2
75	Computer specialists	$60,033	9,560	2.2
76	Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation	$38,360	1,170	2.1
77	Automotive glass installers and repairers	$34,730	340	2.1
78	Manicurists and pedicurists	$24,135	2,910	2.1
79	Managers	$70,564	27,500	2.1
80	Actuaries	$98,130	1,020	2.1
81	Obstetricians and gynecologists	$131,230	900	2.1
82	Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	$27,700	9,080	2.1
83	Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary	$56,940	180	2.1
84	Brokerage clerks	$41,905	5,060	2.1
85	Pourers and casters, metal	$31,620	460	2.1
86	Music directors and composers	$47,750	320	2.1
87	Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	$31,190	1,380	2.0
88	Tool and die makers	$46,970	6,440	2.0
89	Directors, religious activities and education	$38,930	640	2.0
90	Artists and related workers	$54,690	130	2.0
91	Desktop publishers	$32,273	1,670	2.0
92	Assemblers and fabricators	$25,688	12,790	2.0
93	Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary	$57,593	870	2.0
94	Fire fighters	$45,255	12,550	2.0
95	Communications teachers, postsecondary	$52,545	960	1.9
96	Health technologists and technicians	$31,220	4,380	1.9
97	Chiropractors	$80,952	1,250	1.9
98	Radiation therapists	$49,570	480	1.9
99	Special education teachers, middle school	$49,783	5,080	1.9
100	Healthcare practitioners and technical workers	$33,900	2,670	1.9

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

The Most Common Jobs in Illinois

Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in Illinois are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.

Rank	Job	Local Jobs 2006	Mean Local Salary 2006	Local Popularity Index
1	Retail salespersons	152,770	$21,966	0.9
2	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	128,450	$22,273	1.5
3	Cashiers	110,730	$16,887	0.9
4	Office clerks, general	91,570	$23,847	0.8
5	Registered nurses	87,020	$49,778	1.0
6	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	86,340	$23,143	1.1
7	Customer service representatives	81,020	$27,672	1.0
8	Waiters and waitresses	66,540	$17,122	0.8
9	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	66,510	$54,010	1.2
10	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	65,620	$29,453	1.0
11	Stock clerks and order fillers	63,080	$21,477	1.0
12	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	60,030	$26,249	0.9
13	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	56,870	$33,626	1.0
14	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	56,430	$35,826	1.0
15	Elementary school teachers, except special education	55,880	$43,820	1.2
16	General and operations managers	54,940	$85,253	0.9
17	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	54,330	$15,858	0.6
18	Business operations specialists	51,480	$59,966	1.4
19	Team assemblers	48,760	$26,760	1.2
20	Accountants and auditors	48,610	$53,865	1.1
21	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	45,880	$41,922	0.9
22	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	45,750	$49,277	1.4
23	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	42,660	$21,521	0.9
24	Receptionists and information clerks	42,630	$22,415	1.0
25	Maintenance and repair workers, general	40,850	$36,576	0.9
26	Security guards	40,380	$24,281	1.0
27	Packers and packagers, hand	38,950	$20,115	1.3
28	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	35,330	$27,142	1.0
29	Food preparation workers	35,160	$17,743	1.1
30	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	35,110	$23,378	1.0
31	Carpenters	33,320	$46,742	1.0
32	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	32,770	$38,028	0.8
33	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	32,250	$26,051	1.1
34	Teacher assistants	30,070	$19,895	0.7
35	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	29,070	$17,412	0.9
36	Managers	27,500	$70,564	2.1
37	Cooks, restaurant	27,130	$19,573	0.9
38	Lawyers	27,000	$91,324	1.2
39	Helpers--production workers	26,300	$21,034	1.5
40	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	26,190	$49,743	1.1
41	Cooks, fast food	25,670	$16,397	1.2
42	Industrial truck and tractor operators	24,380	$30,005	1.1
43	Construction laborers	24,310	$41,301	0.7
44	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	23,520	$34,267	1.0
45	Electricians	22,850	$54,488	1.0
46	Tellers	21,120	$21,218	1.1
47	Computer support specialists	20,800	$43,709	1.1
48	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	20,460	$30,252	0.7
49	Dishwashers	20,420	$15,476	1.1
50	Sales and related workers	20,200	$32,461	3.1
51	Computer programmers	19,500	$58,327	1.3
52	Production workers	19,400	$28,772	2.2
53	Machinists	19,290	$33,632	1.6
54	Bill and account collectors	19,040	$28,964	1.2
55	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	19,030	$33,573	1.1
56	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	18,640	$25,726	1.4
57	Office and administrative support workers	18,450	$28,291	1.8
58	Financial managers	18,440	$84,490	1.0
59	Bartenders	17,820	$16,759	1.0
60	Management analysts	17,760	$66,737	1.0
61	Computer systems analysts	17,630	$65,426	0.9
62	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	17,550	$34,799	0.7
63	Home health aides	17,420	$21,588	0.8
64	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	17,110	$16,350	0.9
65	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	16,830	$62,652	1.2
66	Sales representatives, services	16,460	$50,367	1.0
67	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	16,260	$42,913	0.8
68	Chief executives	16,240	$132,101	1.3
69	Bus drivers, school	16,030	$24,877	1.1
70	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	15,720	$28,248	0.8
71	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	15,500	$57,076	1.0
72	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	15,450	$16,557	1.0
73	Sales managers	14,860	$87,211	1.2
74	Computer software engineers, applications	14,630	$73,021	0.8
75	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	14,440	$22,743	1.1
76	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	14,180	$56,463	0.9
77	Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	14,070	$82,582	1.5
78	Loan officers	13,830	$54,992	1.1
79	Child care workers	13,490	$18,426	0.7
80	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	13,420	$17,726	1.0
81	Postal service mail carriers	13,090	$44,781	1.0
82	Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	12,950	$28,051	1.5
83	Assemblers and fabricators	12,790	$25,688	2.0
84	Fire fighters	12,550	$45,255	2.0
85	Data entry keyers	12,520	$24,893	1.1
86	Counter and rental clerks	12,490	$20,252	0.7
87	Computer and information systems managers	12,470	$85,477	1.2
88	Preschool teachers, except special education	12,350	$23,767	1.0
89	Personal and home care aides	11,860	$17,124	0.6
90	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	11,800	$63,017	0.6
91	Pharmacy technicians	11,710	$23,940	1.2
92	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	11,600	$19,595	0.9
93	Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists	11,340	$42,195	1.6
94	Computer software engineers, systems software	11,330	$74,980	1.0
95	Insurance sales agents	11,290	$56,658	1.0
96	Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators	11,160	$42,391	1.3
97	Legal secretaries	11,090	$33,068	1.1
98	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	10,900	$20,941	0.9
99	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	10,640	$66,598	0.9
100	Telemarketers	10,630	$21,832	0.8

State employment statistics and analysis are © Copyright 2004-2008 Moving Traffic, Inc, owner of CityTownInfo.com. They offer extensive career descriptions and career education info and career-oriented school search resources.

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Illinois Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

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Illinois Jobs and Career Information

RELATIVE POPULARITY

ABSOLUTE POPULARITY

Career Schools in Illinois

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