nonmetropolitan area · 1700001

Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Figures describe the Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area, a BLS-defined region outside metropolitan areas — not a single city or town.

Median annual wage, all occupations$47,010
Total employment126,860

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area was $47,010 per year ($22.60 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 126,860 jobs. 329 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Highway Maintenance Workers6.40810$54,190
Food Batchmakers5.41770$39,240
Machinists3.26760$48,820
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators2.663,050$45,610
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators2.651,680$51,790
Tellers2.64710$36,560
Correctional Officers and Jailers2.56790$74,390
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders2.53780$36,970

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 329 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area
Occupation
Cashiers$31,200$15.004,2801.70
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41,770$20.083,4601.44
General and Operations Managers$87,770$42.203,4501.21
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,110$17.363,1201.35
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,610$21.933,0502.66
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$57,270$27.532,8901.72
Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,200$15.002,7300.87
Retail Salespersons$33,190$15.962,6100.82
Registered Nurses$79,580$38.262,3400.85
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54,530$26.222,1101.69
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,320$17.462,0601.14
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$34,720Not published2,0401.76
Office Clerks, General$42,540$20.452,0101.00
Nursing Assistants$39,650$19.061,9901.68
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$59,310Not published1,9301.71
Waiters and Waitresses$31,200$15.001,8000.97
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$51,790$24.901,6802.65
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44,150$21.231,6701.20
Bartenders$31,200$15.001,4302.32
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$37,420$17.991,3600.39
Customer Service Representatives$43,420$20.881,3500.64
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,340$22.281,3401.19
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,010Not published1,3101.51
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$72,790$35.001,2201.21
Cooks, Restaurant$35,350$16.991,1501.00
Construction Laborers$58,850$28.291,1101.24
Light Truck Drivers$43,980$21.151,0601.32
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36,280$17.441,0001.29
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,670$35.901,0001.82
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,450$18.019700.97
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45,100$21.689401.02
Receptionists and Information Clerks$36,400$17.509301.26
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$48,260$23.209001.57
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,940$22.578301.70
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,050$25.038202.42
Highway Maintenance Workers$54,190$26.058106.40
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$63,070$30.328000.69
Correctional Officers and Jailers$74,390$35.767902.56
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$36,970$17.777802.53
Food Batchmakers$39,240$18.877705.41
Machinists$48,820$23.477603.26
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,220$16.947302.02
Packers and Packagers, Hand$35,230$16.947301.59
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,540Not published7201.42
Food Preparation Workers$31,400$15.107100.98
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$48,730$23.437100.69
Tellers$36,560$17.587102.64
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$101,800$48.946901.05
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$61,580$29.616801.24
Accountants and Auditors$73,400$35.296700.57
Financial Managers$129,280$62.156500.94
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$35,970$17.296501.51
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47,190$22.696300.95
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,260$15.996200.88
Electricians$81,020$38.956201.00
Security Guards$42,600$20.486000.57
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65,520$31.505401.06
Bus Drivers, School$47,040$22.615401.65
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$87,420$42.035301.06
Carpenters$61,790$29.715000.92
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$94,410$45.395001.29
Childcare Workers$31,620$15.204901.15
Postal Service Mail Carriers$59,010$28.374801.80
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$65,040$31.274700.88
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$93,590$45.004501.18
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$31,240$15.024401.84
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33,810$16.254401.42
Firefighters$59,800$28.754301.51
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$62,180$29.894200.58
Pharmacy Technicians$38,840$18.674101.07
Industrial Production Managers$124,950$60.074001.98
Social and Human Service Assistants$45,020$21.654001.13
Recreation Workers$31,730$15.254001.48
Human Resources Specialists$70,130$33.723900.52
Industrial Engineers$92,540$44.493901.31
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44,620$21.453900.50
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$58,340$28.053801.20
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51,090$24.563804.91
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$98,100Not published3701.37
Dishwashers$31,200$15.003700.96
Construction Managers$90,320$43.423601.16
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$74,740$35.933500.88
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$76,490$36.773500.39
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$37,790$18.173400.88
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,580$24.803402.40
Sales Managers$127,700$61.403300.63
Medical and Health Services Managers$104,120$50.063300.68
Training and Development Specialists$76,450$36.763300.88
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,640$28.193300.81
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$56,860Not published3301.53
Dental Assistants$46,880$22.543301.06
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,520$22.373302.54
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$65,980$31.723100.87
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$78,300$37.653102.76
Loan Officers$78,760$37.863001.35
Parts Salespersons$41,600$20.002801.27
Billing and Posting Clerks$46,010$22.122800.84
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$40,220$19.342801.92
Managers, All Other$129,580$62.302600.51
Medical Assistants$40,090$19.272600.38
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31,200$15.002600.74
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60,870$29.272601.56
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$39,430$18.962601.29
Driver/Sales Workers$31,200$15.002600.78
Project Management Specialists$96,420$46.362500.29
Computer User Support Specialists$54,370$26.142500.44
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$33,280$16.002500.95
Counter and Rental Clerks$39,770$19.122500.76
Lawyers$104,110$50.052400.38
Psychiatric Technicians$44,730$21.502401.87
Insurance Sales AgentsNot publishedNot published2400.62
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$57,700$27.742400.75
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$60,600$29.142401.01
Civil Engineers$99,380$47.782300.78
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$63,010Not published2301.72
Emergency Medical Technicians$36,800$17.692301.53
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$31,200$15.002300.52
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$66,610$32.022300.70
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$49,080$23.602301.68
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$34,210$16.452201.02
Facilities Managers$94,160$45.272101.64
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$61,010$29.332100.73
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$57,730$27.752100.53
Software Developers$103,910$49.962000.14
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$45,500$21.882001.79
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$107,990$51.922004.55
Animal Caretakers$31,200$15.002000.91
Food Service Managers$60,860$29.261900.96
Logisticians$78,670$37.821900.93
Mechanical Engineers$84,890$40.811900.79
Nurse Practitioners$134,310$64.571900.72
Library Assistants, Clerical$31,210$15.011902.75
Roofers$77,390$37.211901.71
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$59,380$28.551906.02
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$61,000$29.331901.82
Administrative Services Managers$73,090$35.141800.85
Computer and Information Systems Managers$135,300$65.051800.33
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$61,070$29.361800.48
Agricultural Equipment Operators$46,050$22.141807.74
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$44,730$21.501800.84
Bakers$34,430$16.551800.92
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,800$22.021801.45
Production Workers, All Other$47,340$22.761800.85
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34,640$16.661800.88
Architectural and Engineering Managers$159,510$76.691700.93
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$82,210$39.521703.05
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$31,200$15.001700.53
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$46,750$22.481701.30
Postal Service Clerks$58,880$28.311702.88
Marketing Managers$135,900$65.341600.50
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$92,820$44.631600.60
Management Analysts$86,970$41.811600.22
Self-Enrichment Teachers$39,330$18.911600.58
Pharmacists$138,680$66.671600.60
Paramedics$45,090$21.681601.97
School Bus Monitors$32,160$15.461602.48
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$49,610$23.851603.64
Butchers and Meat Cutters$36,440$17.521601.45
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$99,990$48.071500.84
Human Resources Managers$128,820$61.931500.84
Cost Estimators$79,360$38.151500.82
Physical Therapists$99,990$48.071500.68
Speech-Language Pathologists$76,830$36.941500.98
Physicians, All Other$414,640$199.351500.54
Dental Hygienists$77,820$37.411500.81
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$71,050$34.161500.53
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$31,400$15.091500.59
Public Safety Telecommunicators$51,220$24.621501.83
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$43,710$21.011500.84
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$84,560$40.651505.19
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34,120$16.401500.95
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$43,960$21.141400.45
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$59,970Not published1401.61
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$76,490$36.781400.76
Printing Press Operators$48,810$23.471401.21
Social and Community Service Managers$67,290$32.351300.75
Compliance Officers$67,450$32.431300.39
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$60,510Not published1301.43
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$60,570Not published1301.64
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$31,200$15.001301.00
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$55,310$26.591300.77
Sheet Metal Workers$96,150$46.231301.36
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$64,650$31.081201.68
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$94,050$45.221200.95
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$74,090$35.621201.06
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$48,130$23.141200.96
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$49,420$23.761200.84
Tool and Die Makers$62,610$30.101202.56
Financial and Investment Analysts$93,700$45.051100.38
Computer Systems Analysts$95,780$46.051100.27
Computer Network Support Specialists$63,970$30.761100.96
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$84,730$40.741100.43
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,970$31.241101.81
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$61,150$29.401104.23
Rehabilitation Counselors$50,200$24.141101.47
Coaches and Scouts$43,470Not published1100.53
Medical Records Specialists$48,350$23.251100.67
Phlebotomists$39,120$18.811100.95
Chefs and Head Cooks$47,050$22.621100.68
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$48,470$23.301104.81
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$97,780$47.011101.96
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$49,030$23.571102.49
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,020$22.131101.04
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$44,970$21.621001.05
Photographers$34,010$16.351002.34
Occupational Therapists$89,620$43.091000.78
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36,340$17.471001.00
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$62,560$30.081000.68
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$59,220$28.471000.82
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$44,980$21.6310011.12
Instructional Coordinators$60,900$29.28900.51
Graphic Designers$49,990$24.03900.56
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$43,740$21.03900.83
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$59,010$28.37900.84
Bill and Account Collectors$41,640$20.02900.66
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$57,100$27.45900.72
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,490$21.39901.69
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$57,990$27.88900.70
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$49,950$24.02800.30
Labor Relations Specialists$98,370$47.29801.56
Electrical Engineers$102,960$49.50800.48
Respiratory Therapists$76,730$36.89800.70
Veterinarians$105,590$50.76801.13
Physical Therapist Assistants$64,590$31.05800.87
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45,910$22.07800.53
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$76,670$36.86800.47
New Accounts Clerks$46,920$22.56802.53
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$41,600$20.00800.64
Data Entry Keyers$39,010$18.76800.81
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48,930$23.52800.44
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,190$24.618010.55
Helpers--Production Workers$44,190$21.24800.57
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$58,890$28.31702.12
Computer Occupations, All Other$85,110$40.92700.20
Soil and Plant Scientists$100,490$48.31705.19
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$31,200$15.00700.86
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$39,610$19.04700.84
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$72,960$35.08700.31
Order Clerks$42,740$20.55701.18
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$110,930$53.33700.65
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,900$22.55701.44
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$37,950$18.24702.57
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$33,890$16.29700.83
Credit Analysts$59,870$28.78601.15
Personal Financial AdvisorsNot publishedNot published600.29
Insurance Underwriters$78,100$37.55600.75
School Psychologists$77,050$37.05601.09
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,800$39.81600.55
Healthcare Social Workers$62,880$30.23600.41
Social Workers, All Other$49,180$23.64601.19
Floral Designers$34,600$16.64601.67
Chiropractors$62,710$30.15601.74
Dentists, General$223,580$107.49600.60
Nurse Anesthetists$239,200 or more$115.00 or more601.44
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$43,690$21.00600.96
Opticians, Dispensing$39,520$19.00600.93
Massage Therapists$42,590$20.48600.74
First-Line Supervisors of Security WorkersNot publishedNot published600.84
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$74,380$35.76600.63
Residential Advisors$42,610$20.49600.84
File Clerks$39,180$18.84600.98
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$51,410$24.72600.76
Construction and Building Inspectors$69,160$33.25600.49
Food Processing Workers, All Other$40,610$19.52601.19
Chief Executives$234,030$112.52500.30
Purchasing Managers$131,180$63.07500.79
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$84,540$40.64500.34
Fundraisers$50,120$24.10500.51
Financial Examiners$81,860$39.36500.93
Financial Specialists, All Other$60,960$29.31500.49
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$51,750$24.88500.98
Agricultural Technicians$46,040$22.13503.86
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$49,850$23.97500.56
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$68,610$32.99501.70
Public Relations Specialists$59,590$28.65500.21
Physician Assistants$136,410$65.58500.37
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$84,660$40.70500.71
Bailiffs$42,880$20.62503.56
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$60,270$28.98502.59
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$65,910$31.69502.03
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$45,960$22.09502.68
Tire Repairers and Changers$37,980$18.26500.51
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$48,930$23.52500.83
Power Plant Operators$96,300$46.30501.92
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$41,500$19.95502.23
Parking Attendants$34,500$16.59500.44
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$93,200$44.81403.55
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$44,070$21.19400.38
Computer Network Architects$102,030$49.05400.26
Chemists$83,740$40.26400.65
Psychologists, All Other$63,280$30.42402.28
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$61,160Not published403.11
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$63,680Not published400.64
Tutors$43,010$20.68400.30
Dietitians and Nutritionists$64,890$31.20400.57
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$92,230$44.34401.23
Surgical Technologists$47,540$22.86400.47
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$47,690$22.93400.29
Occupational Therapy Assistants$60,740$29.20401.06
Procurement Clerks$43,960$21.14400.91
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$62,390$30.00400.33
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$34,860$16.76400.26
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$98,340$47.28400.98
Sewing Machine Operators$38,650$18.58400.41
Lodging Managers$53,860$25.90300.87
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$82,670$39.74300.33
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$73,090$35.14300.39
Surveyors$83,450$40.12300.84
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$44,700$21.49300.30
Clergy$62,950$30.26300.69
Directors, Religious Activities and Education$58,350$28.05301.88
Business Teachers, Postsecondary$37,740Not published300.51
Family Medicine Physicians$278,820$134.05300.38
Medical Equipment Preparers$44,100$21.20300.51
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$48,130$23.14300.32
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$44,300$21.30300.27
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$101,030$48.57301.87
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$46,580$22.39300.65
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$41,450$19.93303.28
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55,810$26.83303.00
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,790$22.49300.71
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$64,630$31.07302.76
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$36,440$17.52301.69
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$72,610$34.91301.46
Crane and Tower Operators$46,320$22.27300.91
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$43,560$20.94Not publishedNot published
Forest and Conservation Technicians$55,190$26.53Not publishedNot published
Property Appraisers and Assessors$47,640$22.91Not publishedNot published
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$46,990$22.59Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.