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Highest-paying business jobs in Chicago
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying business jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro area using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Jobs the BLS lists as "business and financial operations occupations" were included. Keep reading to discover the highest paying business jobs in your city.
#26. Credit counselors
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $48,700
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
- Annual mean salary: $48,700
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,430
- Employment: 31,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($74,570)
--- Lincoln, NE ($69,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($66,410)
#25. Meeting, convention, and event planners
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $55,020
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
- Annual mean salary: $55,020
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,850
- Employment: 98,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,790)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($79,740)
#24. Tax preparers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $59,200
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
- Annual mean salary: $59,200
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,080
- Employment: 83,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($81,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($79,470)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($73,170)
#23. Fundraisers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $62,170
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
- Annual mean salary: $62,170
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,870
- Employment: 82,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,070)
--- Salinas, CA ($83,760)
#22. Logisticians
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $64,560
- #332 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
- Annual mean salary: $64,560
- #332 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,230
- Employment: 189,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($115,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,740)
--- Kokomo, IN ($101,310)
#21. Labor relations specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $67,570
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
- Annual mean salary: $67,570
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,070
- Employment: 63,810
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($104,620)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($98,470)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($97,520)
#20. Human resources specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $70,020
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
- Annual mean salary: $70,020
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,230
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,720
- Employment: 740,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($95,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($91,400)
#19. Training and development specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $70,380
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
- Annual mean salary: $70,380
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,620
- Employment: 336,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($111,580)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,720)
--- Decatur, AL ($94,650)
#18. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $71,240
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 27,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
- Annual mean salary: $71,240
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 27,890
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,080
- Employment: 727,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,370)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,510)
#17. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $71,630
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
- Annual mean salary: $71,630
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,960
- Employment: 278,140
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,800)
#16. Insurance underwriters
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $78,050
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
- Annual mean salary: $78,050
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,940
- Employment: 107,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($121,000)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($108,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,150)
#15. Compliance officers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $79,420
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
- Annual mean salary: $79,420
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,020
National
- Annual mean salary: $75,810
- Employment: 334,340
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,460)
--- California-Lexington Park, MD ($96,030)
#14. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $81,020
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,980
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
- Annual mean salary: $81,020
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,980
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,810
- Employment: 87,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,980)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,830)
#13. Accountants and auditors
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $81,250
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 38,800
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
- Annual mean salary: $81,250
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 38,800
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)
#12. Loan officers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $81,340
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
- Annual mean salary: $81,340
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)
#11. Cost estimators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,740
- Employment: 208,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($104,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,550)
#10. Budget analysts
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $88,500
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
- Annual mean salary: $88,500
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $84,240
- Employment: 47,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,670)
--- Iowa City, IA ($108,870)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($106,380)
#9. Credit analysts
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $89,630
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
- Annual mean salary: $89,630
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,030
- Employment: 68,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($128,950)
--- Danbury, CT ($121,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,860)
#8. Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $94,210
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
- Annual mean salary: $94,210
- #11 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,200
- Employment: 52,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($102,470)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($99,710)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,850)
#7. Financial risk specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $105,650
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
- Annual mean salary: $105,650
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,610
- Employment: 54,320
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($146,590)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,890)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($141,590)
#6. Project management specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $106,880
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
- Annual mean salary: $106,880
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,620
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)
#5. Financial and investment analysts
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $107,490
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
- Annual mean salary: $107,490
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,020
- Employment: 291,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($133,640)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,820)
#4. Financial examiners
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $107,690
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
- Annual mean salary: $107,690
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,180
- Employment: 60,750
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,280)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,070)
#3. Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $109,570
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,410
- Employment: 12,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($132,660)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,780)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($131,330)
- Annual mean salary: $109,570
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $116,410
- Employment: 12,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($132,660)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($131,780)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($131,330)
#2. Management analysts
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $115,350
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
- Annual mean salary: $115,350
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)
#1. Personal financial advisors
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $120,580
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
- Annual mean salary: $120,580
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)
