Highest paying jobs in Chicago for high school graduates
Written by:
April 25, 2022
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
Highest paying jobs in Chicago for high school graduates
The average college graduate in 2020 earned $1,305 a week, while the average high school graduate takes home just $781, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Of course, college isn’t for everyone. There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college, not the least of which being cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise each year, the exception being the 2020-2021 school year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Average tuition at a public, in-state university coming in at $9,687; tuition for out-of-state students at public schools, and for everyone at private universities, is significantly higher at $21,874 and $35,087, respectively.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs for high school graduates in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay the most for high school graduates.
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Canva
#50. Chemical plant and system operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $66,020
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,460
- Employment: 29,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lima, OH ($92,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,210)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($90,170)
- Annual mean salary: $66,020
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,460
- Employment: 29,710
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lima, OH ($92,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($91,210)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($90,170)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#49. Lodging managers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $66,190
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 31,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($122,290)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
- Annual mean salary: $66,190
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,270
- Employment: 31,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($122,290)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($121,090)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($111,410)
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Canva
#48. Glaziers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $66,710
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,970
- Employment: 52,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($78,840)
--- Salem, OR ($78,000)
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($76,680)
- Annual mean salary: $66,710
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
National
- Annual mean salary: $50,970
- Employment: 52,190
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($78,840)
--- Salem, OR ($78,000)
--- Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area ($76,680)
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Vera Larina // Shutterstock
#47. Sheet metal workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $66,960
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
- Annual mean salary: $66,960
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,320
- Employment: 128,220
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($101,150)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($94,930)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,840)
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Christian Lagerek // Shutterstock
#46. Gas plant operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $67,060
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,290
- Employment: 14,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)
- Annual mean salary: $67,060
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,290
- Employment: 14,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($99,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,750)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($97,080)
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Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
#45. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $67,150
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,890
- Employment: 119,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,370)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($87,990)
- Annual mean salary: $67,150
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,560
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,890
- Employment: 119,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,370)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($87,990)
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Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
#44. Airfield operations specialists
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $67,890
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,360
- Employment: 10,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($88,510)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($80,230)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,230)
- Annual mean salary: $67,890
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,360
- Employment: 10,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($88,510)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($80,230)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,230)
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Bigflick // Shutterstock
#43. Correctional officers and jailers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $68,140
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,340
- Employment: 405,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,580)
--- Salinas, CA ($89,100)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,260)
- Annual mean salary: $68,140
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,340
- Employment: 405,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,580)
--- Salinas, CA ($89,100)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($86,260)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#42. Advertising sales agents
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $68,710
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
- Annual mean salary: $68,710
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,410
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,040
- Employment: 110,040
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,840)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($83,050)
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Unsplash
#41. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $68,920
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,890
- Employment: 14,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($104,560)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($68,920)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($60,810)
- Annual mean salary: $68,920
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,890
- Employment: 14,630
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($104,560)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($68,920)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($60,810)
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Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
#40. Carpenters
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $69,370
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 16,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Employment: 699,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,280)
- Annual mean salary: $69,370
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 16,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Employment: 699,300
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($78,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,280)
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GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#39. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $69,620
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 36,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
- Annual mean salary: $69,620
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 36,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,010
- Employment: 1,427,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($79,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($78,430)
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Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
#38. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $69,630
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 599,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($96,900)
- Annual mean salary: $69,630
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,800
- Employment: 599,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($98,170)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($97,910)
--- West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area ($96,900)
14 / 50
Tim Goode/PA Images // Getty Images
#37. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $69,900
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 38,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Employment: 977,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
- Annual mean salary: $69,900
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 38,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Employment: 977,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($103,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($101,630)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,360)
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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
#36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $70,440
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 48,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Employment: 1,278,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)
- Annual mean salary: $70,440
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 48,940
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Employment: 1,278,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($102,280)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($92,660)
--- Napa, CA ($92,620)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#35. Insurance sales agents
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $70,760
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,870
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
- Annual mean salary: $70,760
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,870
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,100
- Employment: 409,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,470)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($95,620)
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Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
#34. Occupational health and safety technicians
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $71,150
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,870
- Employment: 20,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
- Annual mean salary: $71,150
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,870
- Employment: 20,950
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($77,880)
--- Anchorage, AK ($77,690)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($77,100)
18 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#33. 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: $70,650
- Employment: 287,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area ($92,500)
- Annual mean salary: $71,630
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,340
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,650
- Employment: 287,150
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($104,350)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($95,200)
--- Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area ($92,500)
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#32. Private detectives and investigators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $72,300
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,100
- Employment: 32,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($93,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
- Annual mean salary: $72,300
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,100
- Employment: 32,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($93,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,080)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($87,760)
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Kzenon // Shutterstock
#31. Stonemasons
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $72,900
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,290
- Employment: 11,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($72,900)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($67,830)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,650)
- Annual mean salary: $72,900
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,290
- Employment: 11,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($72,900)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($67,830)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($66,650)
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Canva
#30. Construction and building inspectors
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $74,350
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,120
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,470
- Employment: 113,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($121,510)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)
- Annual mean salary: $74,350
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,120
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,470
- Employment: 113,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($121,510)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($107,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,190)
22 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock
#29. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $76,490
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,110
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Employment: 475,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)
- Annual mean salary: $76,490
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,110
National
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Employment: 475,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($93,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,870)
23 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#28. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $77,930
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,400
- Employment: 50,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($98,380)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($94,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,800)
- Annual mean salary: $77,930
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $62,400
- Employment: 50,660
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($98,380)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($94,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($92,800)
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Canva
#27. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $78,200
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,250
- Employment: 15,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($78,200)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($69,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,320)
- Annual mean salary: $78,200
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,250
- Employment: 15,380
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($78,200)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($69,720)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,320)
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Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
#26. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $78,790
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,600
- Employment: 53,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)
- Annual mean salary: $78,790
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,600
- Employment: 53,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($114,400)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,220)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($112,950)
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Jat306 // Shutterstock
#25. Millwrights
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $80,780
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,570
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 44,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,580)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($80,780)
- Annual mean salary: $80,780
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,570
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,080
- Employment: 44,400
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,580)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($80,780)
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Canva
#24. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $80,980
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,280
- Employment: 402,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($91,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,120)
- Annual mean salary: $80,980
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,580
National
- Annual mean salary: $55,280
- Employment: 402,870
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($91,860)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,120)
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Unsplash
#23. Structural iron and steel workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $82,510
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
- Annual mean salary: $82,510
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,650
- Employment: 71,490
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($95,020)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($88,250)
--- Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($84,570)
29 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#22. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $82,930
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,860
- Employment: 122,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
--- Salinas, CA ($88,050)
- Annual mean salary: $82,930
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,860
- Employment: 122,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($90,680)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($90,370)
--- Salinas, CA ($88,050)
30 / 50
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
#21. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $84,000
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
- Annual mean salary: $84,000
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $79,660
- Employment: 13,880
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($97,930)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($96,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($94,460)
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31 / 50
John Leung // Shutterstock
#20. Brickmasons and blockmasons
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $85,250
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
- Annual mean salary: $85,250
- #4 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,760
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,420
- Employment: 59,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($95,980)
--- Decatur, IL ($92,670)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($89,340)
32 / 50
Canva
#19. Transportation inspectors
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $86,300
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,320
- Employment: 27,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
- Annual mean salary: $86,300
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,320
- Employment: 27,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($112,260)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($111,930)
--- Anchorage, AK ($108,140)
33 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#18. Electricians
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $86,600
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,550
- Employment: 656,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,090)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($86,600)
- Annual mean salary: $86,600
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,550
- Employment: 656,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($91,090)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($86,600)
34 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
#17. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $89,190
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Employment: 417,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,580)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,500)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($89,190)
- Annual mean salary: $89,190
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Employment: 417,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($94,580)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,500)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($89,190)
35 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#16. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $89,760
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Employment: 614,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
- Annual mean salary: $89,760
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,240
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,990
- Employment: 614,080
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)
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36 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#15. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $90,200
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,120
- Employment: 240,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
- Annual mean salary: $90,200
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,120
- Employment: 240,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)
37 / 50
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
#14. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $90,400
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,170
- Employment: 29,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
--- South Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($101,630)
- Annual mean salary: $90,400
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,170
- Employment: 29,550
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,300)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,930)
--- South Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($101,630)
38 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#13. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $91,290
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,810
- Employment: 5,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($104,810)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($101,650)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($101,610)
- Annual mean salary: $91,290
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,810
- Employment: 5,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($104,810)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($101,650)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($101,610)
39 / 50
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
#12. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $91,380
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,610
- Employment: 40,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($101,900)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
- Annual mean salary: $91,380
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
National
- Annual mean salary: $77,610
- Employment: 40,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($105,090)
--- Alaska nonmetropolitan area ($101,900)
--- St. Louis, MO-IL ($97,860)
40 / 50
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
#11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $93,330
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- Employment: 114,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area ($109,740)
- Annual mean salary: $93,330
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,410
- Employment: 114,930
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($117,700)
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area ($109,740)
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41 / 50
michaeljung // Shutterstock
#10. Power plant operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $93,770
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
- Annual mean salary: $93,770
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,890
- Employment: 32,960
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($129,650)
--- Wenatchee, WA ($123,180)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($114,660)
42 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock
#9. Commercial pilots
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $95,030
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
- Annual mean salary: $95,030
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
National
- Annual mean salary: $110,830
- Employment: 37,120
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)
43 / 50
Canva
#8. Boilermakers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $96,080
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,430
- Employment: 14,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,660)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($96,080)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,620)
- Annual mean salary: $96,080
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,430
- Employment: 14,020
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,660)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($96,080)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($90,620)
44 / 50
Onk-Q // Shutterstock
#7. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $97,000
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,700
- Employment: 18,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($97,000)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($88,350)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($75,440)
- Annual mean salary: $97,000
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,700
- Employment: 18,680
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($97,000)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($88,350)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($75,440)
45 / 50
Prath // Shutterstock
#6. Detectives and criminal investigators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $101,600
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,300
- Employment: 105,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)
- Annual mean salary: $101,600
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,300
- Employment: 105,980
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)
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46 / 50
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
#5. Power distributors and dispatchers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $103,040
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,260
- Employment: 9,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
- Annual mean salary: $103,040
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,260
- Employment: 9,940
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($131,560)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($129,570)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($123,540)
47 / 50
Canva
#4. Pile driver operators
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $106,340
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,880
- Employment: 3,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($106,620)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($106,340)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,880)
- Annual mean salary: $106,340
- #2 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,880
- Employment: 3,820
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($106,620)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($106,340)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,880)
48 / 50
Canva
#3. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $106,530
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,200
- Employment: 24,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
- Annual mean salary: $106,530
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,200
- Employment: 24,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($130,290)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($113,590)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($113,480)
49 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $111,800
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,630
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,100
- Employment: 132,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
- Annual mean salary: $111,800
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,630
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,100
- Employment: 132,210
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($159,890)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($154,170)
--- Trenton, NJ ($144,620)
50 / 50
Canva
#1. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Annual mean salary: $126,270
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,180
- Employment: 122,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
- Annual mean salary: $126,270
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,180
- Employment: 122,310
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($182,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($170,740)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($164,600)
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