Highest Paying Jobs in Chicago, IL (2024)
The highest paying job in Chicago, IL is Computer and Information Systems Manager at $168,230 median salary. Across 52 tracked occupations, the average median is $103,440. Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 107.3.
52
Roles Ranked
$103,440
Avg Median
107.3
COL Index
$168,230
Top Salary
All Jobs Ranked by Salary
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | Range (10th–90th) | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $168,230 | $104,760 – $260,322 | $156,785 | 21,760 |
| 2 | Lawyer | Legal | $166,090 | $80,900 – $300,111 | $154,790 | 28,380 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $164,470 | $99,010 – $281,425 | $153,281 | 41,170 |
| 4 | Marketing Manager | Management | $158,800 | $88,000 – $234,600 | $147,996 | 17,970 |
| 5 | Sales Manager | Management | $147,940 | $78,740 – $278,396 | $137,875 | 24,390 |
| 6 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $140,760 | $95,460 – $192,100 | $131,184 | 4,880 |
| 7 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $137,760 | $91,600 – $233,830 | $128,388 | 10,990 |
| 8 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $137,610 | $90,170 – $166,320 | $128,248 | 9,630 |
| 9 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $135,120 | $47,810 – $210,040 | $125,927 | 230 |
| 10 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $131,690 | $103,420 – $165,890 | $122,731 | 6,930 |
| 11 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,030 | $78,300 – $173,770 | $121,184 | 41,320 |
| 12 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $124,350 | $78,210 – $222,780 | $115,890 | 15,760 |
| 13 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $122,990 | $103,000 – $159,720 | $114,623 | 3,180 |
| 14 | Management Analyst | Management | $120,140 | $64,240 – $200,610 | $111,966 | 36,300 |
| 15 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $117,980 | $67,850 – $166,230 | $109,953 | 1,710 |
| 16 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $116,520 | $72,510 – $171,100 | $108,593 | 3,460 |
| 17 | Data Scientist | Technology | $112,640 | $65,590 – $175,390 | $104,977 | 5,840 |
| 18 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $109,010 | $76,070 – $168,580 | $101,594 | 4,340 |
| 19 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $108,640 | $59,640 – $232,035 | $101,249 | 8,170 |
| 20 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $105,310 | $49,380 – $262,446 | $98,145 | 121,110 |
| 21 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $104,200 | $82,840 – $151,020 | $97,111 | 8,360 |
| 22 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $102,790 | $64,070 – $202,050 | $95,797 | 14,970 |
| 23 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,360 | $64,010 – $138,630 | $95,396 | 5,410 |
| 24 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $102,190 | $62,900 – $171,940 | $95,238 | 2,380 |
| 25 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $102,080 | $49,480 – $166,500 | $95,135 | 8,390 |
| 26 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $100,940 | $65,880 – $141,130 | $94,073 | 10,640 |
| 27 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $100,390 | $67,490 – $150,430 | $93,560 | 6,050 |
| 28 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $100,280 | $73,090 – $160,840 | $93,458 | 8,870 |
| 29 | Electrician | Trades | $99,540 | $50,310 – $120,770 | $92,768 | 16,690 |
| 30 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $99,510 | $57,730 – $141,360 | $92,740 | 15,940 |
| 31 | Plumber | Trades | $98,890 | $50,210 – $123,600 | $92,162 | 14,230 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $98,790 | $63,910 – $152,120 | $92,069 | 7,370 |
| 33 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $98,030 | $62,440 – $100,050 | $91,361 | 6,420 |
| 34 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $96,480 | $72,070 – $118,080 | $89,916 | 100,620 |
| 35 | Web Developer | Technology | $95,060 | $44,280 – $143,990 | $88,593 | 1,600 |
| 36 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $83,990 | $54,750 – $121,610 | $78,276 | 7,210 |
| 37 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $81,290 | $36,370 – $208,270 | $75,760 | 2,230 |
| 38 | Accountant | Finance | $81,210 | $58,080 – $136,490 | $75,685 | 41,860 |
| 39 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $80,440 | $51,030 – $131,490 | $74,967 | 34,720 |
| 40 | Architect | Engineering | $79,240 | $58,840 – $126,470 | $73,849 | 4,920 |
| 41 | Loan Officer | Finance | $77,270 | $47,940 – $152,530 | $72,013 | 7,040 |
| 42 | Carpenter | Trades | $76,510 | $41,090 – $120,970 | $71,305 | 19,460 |
| 43 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $76,380 | $45,680 – $134,690 | $71,184 | 27,750 |
| 44 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $75,020 | $47,830 – $101,350 | $69,916 | 45,400 |
| 45 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $69,210 | $42,850 – $99,300 | $64,501 | 8,160 |
| 46 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $69,200 | $47,860 – $115,940 | $64,492 | 5,730 |
| 47 | Writer/Author | Creative | $69,150 | $38,590 – $114,500 | $64,445 | 1,590 |
| 48 | Paralegal | Legal | $66,930 | $47,950 – $104,190 | $62,377 | 10,250 |
| 49 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $63,910 | $40,440 – $119,270 | $59,562 | 4,890 |
| 50 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $62,490 | $41,820 – $95,920 | $58,239 | 6,080 |
| 51 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $58,340 | $34,960 – $91,670 | $54,371 | 18,180 |
| 52 | Welder | Trades | $50,700 | $37,950 – $70,910 | $47,251 | 9,150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Chicago, IL is Computer and Information Systems Manager with a median salary of $168,230, according to BLS data for 2024.
Across 52 tracked occupations, the average median salary in Chicago, IL is $103,440. The city's cost-of-living index is 107.3 (national average = 100).
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 107.3, which is near the national average. Combined with competitive salaries, this makes it a strong option for many careers.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
Last updated:
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. COL adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities.