Do you want to work in Chicago? Apply for the highest-paying jobs in Chicago right now to kickstart your career!
The GDP per capita in Chicago, Illinois is $65,407. In terms of GDP, it ranks lower than many other metropolitan areas in the United States, but Windy City still has a thriving job market. Indeed, it has recently been described as the best it has been in 25 years.
If you want to work in Chicago, you have many options. This includes a wide range of high-paying jobs that will allow you to live comfortably in this pricey city.
This guide can assist you whether you are considering a career change or making plans for the future. It distinguishes the highest-paying jobs in Chicago, the highest-paying industries in Chicago, and the highest-paying jobs in Chicago for recent graduates. You’ll also find a list of the best degrees to pursue in order to qualify for these positions.
In Chicago, what salary is considered wealthy?
The average annual salary in Chicago is $110,000, and the median annual salary is $118,000 (meaning that half of the city’s population earns more than this amount and half earns less).
The cost of living in Chicago is also quite high. This is especially true when compared to the cost of living in the rest of Illinois (including Springfield, the state capital).
For example, consumer prices in Chicago are 26.31 percent higher than in Springfield, and rent prices are 135.8 percent higher. Restaurant prices in Chicago are 22.8 percent higher than in Springfield, and grocery prices are 25 percent higher.
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With this information in mind, it’s safe to say that to be considered wealthy in Chicago, you’d need to earn well over $118,000 per year. The closer your annual salary is to $200,000, the more likely you are to be considered wealthy and enjoy a higher level of comfort while living in this city.
What Is the Highest-Paying Job in Chicago?
Now that you know what you need to earn in Chicago to be considered rich or wealthy, let’s look at the specific jobs that will help you get there.
Many of Chicago’s highest-paying jobs are in the healthcare industry, including the city’s highest-paying position: Surgeon.
Surgeons earn an average annual salary of $255,580, which is more than double the Chicago median salary. Even entry-level surgeons earn a higher-than-average salary in Chicago, with an annual salary of $142,420, which is significantly higher than the average Chicagoan.
Don’t be concerned if a career as a surgeon does not appeal to you. While working in a variety of other roles, you can still make a good living in Chicago. The top 20 highest-paying jobs in Chicago are listed below, ranked from lowest to highest salary.
20. Marketing Manager: Average Salary $122,250 per year
19. General and Operations Manager: Average Salary $122,360 per year
18. Physicist: Average Salary $123,950 per year
17. Nuclear Engineer: Average Salary $125,450 per year
16. Sales Manager: Average Salary $128,010 per year
15. General Dentists: Average Salary $128,810 per year
14. Lawyer: Average Salary $129,220 per year
13. Financial Manager: Average Salary $132,170 per year
12. Computer and Information Systems Manager: Average Salary $132,570 per year
11. General Paediatrician: Average Salary $141,320 per year
10. Anesthesiologist: Average Salary $148,460 per year
09. Postsecondary Law Teachers: Average Salary $149,420 per year
08. Psychiatrist: Average Salary $152,080 per year
07. General Internist: Average Salary $172,640 per year
06. Other Physician: Average Salary $173,810 per year
05. Podiatrist: Average Salary $177,480 per year
04. Family and General Practitioner: Average Salary $182,930 per year
03. Chief Executive Officer: Average Salary $188,500 per year
02. Obstetrician and Gynecologist: Average Salary $211,500 per year
01. Surgeon: Average Salary $255,580 per year
Chicago’s Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries
If you want to land one of the best-paying jobs in Chicago, including one of the positions on the previous section’s list, you should also be aware of the city’s highest-paying industries.
The top five highest-paying industries in Chicago are explained below, along with information about the top three jobs in each field and how job prospects will likely look in the future:
- Healthcare: The healthcare industry is booming, as it is in many parts of the United States right now, and it is easily one of the highest-paying industries in the country. It makes no difference whether you’re a nurse, a doctor, or a surgeon. A career in healthcare is one of the best options for those looking to earn a high salary while also having a high level of job security.
Top 3 Positions
- The average annual salary for a surgeon is $255,580.
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist: $211,500 per year on average
- Family and general practitioners earn an average of $182,930 per year.
Job Opportunities: The job prospects for someone working in the healthcare industry are excellent. There is a high demand for healthcare workers of all types right now, so if you’re qualified, you should have no trouble finding a high-paying job in Chicago. Because of the high demand, even those with little experience are likely to be hired quickly.
- Business Admin: Because Chicago is a major metropolitan city in the United States, it is home to a large number of businesses. This includes well-known companies such as Boeing, McDonald’s, and Motorola. In Chicago, the business administration industry is large and profitable, and there are many jobs available for those who are interested.
Top 3 Positions
- Chief Executive Officer: $188,500 per year on average
- Financial Managers make an average of $132,170 per year.
- Sales Managers make an average of $128,010 per year.
Job Opportunities: In Chicago, the job prospects for those interested in working in business management or sales are very promising. This city is home to a plethora of businesses, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations. This means that there are plenty of opportunities for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience, including recent graduates and those new to the business world.
- Information Technology: Chicago is no exception to the fact that the information technology sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. There are numerous high-paying jobs in this field, including a variety of leadership and management positions. A career in information technology is a high-paying and rewarding option for those who are interested in computers, software design, and other aspects of the tech world.
Top 3 Positions
- Computer and Information Systems Manager: $132,570 per year on average
- The average annual salary for a computer network architect is $113,780.
- The average annual salary for a systems software developer is $104,880.
Job Opportunities: Job opportunities in Chicago are excellent for those interested in computer programming, software development, cybersecurity, or any other job in the information technology industry. There are numerous job opportunities available here at a variety of companies, ranging from large corporations to small startups, so there are numerous opportunities to find work in this field.
- Engineering: Another high-paying industry in Chicago and throughout the United States is engineering. There are numerous engineering positions available here, ranging from nuclear engineering to electrical engineering, that pays well and provides a high level of job security.
Top 3 Positions
- Nuclear Engineer: $125,450 per year on average
- Aerospace Engineer: The average annual salary is $104,390.
- The average annual salary for a materials engineer is $104,140.
Job Opportunities: Engineering professionals are always in high demand in Chicago and other parts of the United States. Because of the high demand, those with engineering degrees and experience have excellent job prospects. It’s also worth noting that the starting salary for all types of engineers is quite high (although it is below the average Chicago salary). As a result, you can begin earning a good salary immediately after graduating, making this a great industry to break into as a recent graduate.
- Law: Those who work in the legal profession can earn very high salaries in Chicago and throughout the United States. There are numerous opportunities for legal professionals to earn a high salary in the Chicago area, whether you are a lawyer, a judge, or a law instructor.
Top 3 Positions
- The law in Postsecondary Education Average annual salary for a teacher is $149,420.
- Lawyers make an average of $129,220 per year.
- Administrative Law Judge: $110,910 per year on average
Job Opportunities: The legal industry in the United States is extremely competitive right now, and many graduates have found it difficult to find work immediately after graduating.
This information may deter some people from pursuing a legal career, as it may take some time before they are hired and able to earn a living. Those who are passionate about the law, on the other hand, should take their time and find a job that is a good fit.
The Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Chicago for Graduates
Most professions require years of hard work and dedication before you can earn a high salary. The good news is that there are plenty of high-paying jobs in Chicago that pay well from the start.
If you’re a student looking for the highest-paying jobs in Chicago for recent graduates, this list is for you. Here are five great jobs with promising entry-level salaries and plenty of room for advancement:
- Surgeon
A career as a surgeon, even for someone who has just graduated from college, is easily one of the highest-paying jobs in Chicago for recent graduates. Remember that even entry-level surgeons earn more than $140,000 per year, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Of course, becoming a surgeon takes a long time (12-13 years after high school), so it will take time to graduate and begin earning this salary. This is one of the reasons why surgeons are so well compensated. They devote a significant amount of time to honing their skills, and they deserve to be compensated for their efforts.
However, once you finish school, you’ll be well on your way to earning a good living and repaying your student debt.
- Nuclear Architect
A career as a nuclear engineer is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs in Chicago, with an entry-level salary of more than $87,000 per year.
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Nuclear engineers are in charge of researching and developing processes, systems, and instruments that enable nuclear energy and radiation to be used. They discover a wide range of medical and industrial applications for nuclear power.
A bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field is required to become a nuclear engineer. Some people go on to earn master’s degrees, but a bachelor’s degree is enough to get you started in your career. This is good news for those who want to earn a good living in Chicago but don’t want to spend a decade in school.
- Pharmacologist
Pharmacists can also earn a good living in Chicago right after graduation. A pharmacist’s starting salary is more than $74,000 per year. However, after a few years of experience, they can earn much more — more than $114,000 per year.
Pharmacists are in charge of filling prescriptions and providing advice to patients who visit pharmacies. It takes 4-8 years to become a pharmacist, depending on whether you first obtain a bachelor’s degree or enter an accelerated program.
This is a less time-consuming career path than some other medical careers, but it is still demanding and requires patience and a high level of skill. You can have a very lucrative career right after graduating if you are willing to put in the time and effort.
- Physicist
A career as a physicist is a good one to pursue if you have a passion for science and want to earn a good salary right after graduating. A physicist’s average entry-level salary is more than $81,000, and with time and dedication, they can work their way up to a salary of more than $123,000.
Physicists are in charge of designing and carrying out scientific experiments in order to test various theories and discover new properties of matter and energy. Some physicists study matter-energy interactions, while others (theoretical physicists) study more abstract concepts such as the nature of time and the origin of the universe.
A bachelor’s degree in physics is required to become a physicist. However, many of the highest-paid physicists also have a master’s or doctoral degree, which increases their chances of finding work in labs and universities.
- Gynecologist and Obstetrician
Another well-paying medical career is that of an obstetrician and gynecologist (or OB-GYN). This job pays well right out of school, with an entry-level salary of $74,560 per year and an average salary of more than $211,000 per year.
It stands to reason that OB-GYNs earn a high salary right out of school because they perform vital work. They provide care to women during pregnancy and immediately following childbirth. They also give birth control pills, perform exams, and help women get through menopause.
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It takes a long time to become an OB-GYN, beginning with a four-year bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, and a three to seven-year internship and residency. However, once you complete your education and graduate, you can earn significantly more than many other medical professionals, ranging from general practitioners to podiatrists.
What is the highest-paying degree in Chicago?
If you want to improve your chances of landing one of Chicago’s highest-paying jobs, you should focus on your education and earn a degree that qualifies you for those positions. The table below lists some of the best degrees to consider pursuing in Chicago, as well as the potential salary you can earn with one of these degrees:
Degree Type |
Potential Salary |
Medical |
$255,580 per year |
Business Management |
$188,500 per year |
Engineering |
$125,450 per year |
Physics |
$123,950 per year |
Pharmaceutical |
$114,110 per year |
Of course, these potential salaries are only estimates meant to give you some direction as you begin to plan for the future.
There’s no guarantee that this is the salary you’ll earn after earning one of these degrees. However, if you obtain a degree in a high-paying, high-demand field such as medicine, engineering, or others, you will have a much better chance of earning a high salary.
Apply for One of Chicago’s Highest-Paying Jobs
Are you prepared to apply for one of Chicago’s highest-paying jobs? Now that you know which jobs pay the most, it’s time to begin your job search or begin developing skills that will qualify you for the highest-paying jobs in Chicago.
Careercartz has a wealth of resources to assist you in your job search and resume preparation. To learn more, visit our website www.careercartz.com today.
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