UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Sewing Machine Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.5% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,120
--- Employment in 2023: 3,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,540
Fastest-growing jobs in Illinois
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Illinois. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Illinois.
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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Production Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.7% (2,320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 12,540
--- Employment in 2023: 10,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,770
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.5% (3,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 18,170
--- Employment in 2023: 14,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,570
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Food Processing Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.8% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,550
--- Employment in 2023: 2,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,310
welcomia // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.8% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,010
--- Employment in 2023: 1,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,650
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DGLimages // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Healthcare Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.1% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,240
--- Employment in 2023: 4,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,710
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.2% (3,640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 18,100
--- Employment in 2023: 14,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,290
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Electrical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.4% (1,180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,820
--- Employment in 2023: 4,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,000
Kitreel // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Food Batchmakers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.9% (2,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,400
--- Employment in 2023: 10,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,440
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Fundraising Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.0% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,790
--- Employment in 2023: 2,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $101,000
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michaeljung // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Power Plant Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.3% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,630
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $103,020
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.9% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,470
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,010
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Special Education Teachers, Middle School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.1% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,390
--- Employment in 2023: 3,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,790
THICHA SATAPITANON // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Financial Risk Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.5% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,810
--- Employment in 2023: 2,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $98,410
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Cooks, Fast Food
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.9% (3,760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,320
--- Employment in 2023: 12,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,580
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.1% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,510
--- Employment in 2023: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,350
Erickson Stock // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.3% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,790
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.6% (850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,630
--- Employment in 2023: 2,780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,580
Chad McDermott // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Urban and Regional Planners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,190
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,140
worradirek // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,100
You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.9% (2,810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,910
--- Employment in 2023: 9,100
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,980
industryviews // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.4% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,090
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Chemical Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.8% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,410
--- Employment in 2023: 1,070
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,830
shocky // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.4% (1,080 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,310
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,420
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Medical Equipment Preparers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.5% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,860
--- Employment in 2023: 2,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,100
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2025 football recruits from Illinois
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Interpreters and Translators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.8% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,860
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,870
fizkes // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Labor Relations Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.3% (1,010 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $95,080
Kuznetsov Dmitriy // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +38.1% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,160
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,720
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Insurance Underwriters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.2% (2,390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,480
--- Employment in 2023: 6,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $84,580
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.9% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,410
You may also like: Highest-rated stouts in Illinois
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Biological Scientists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +41.6% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,090
--- Employment in 2023: 770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,600
Indypendenz // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.6% (1,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,480
--- Employment in 2023: 2,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,940
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Recreation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.8% (4,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,150
--- Employment in 2023: 11,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,830
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +46.3% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,320
--- Employment in 2023: 2,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $65,400
Vagengeim // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Dental Laboratory Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.5% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,440
--- Employment in 2023: 970
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,500
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kanemme6 // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Tire Repairers and Changers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.7% (1,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,180
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,050
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Real Estate Brokers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +54.3% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,620
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,290
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +68.6% (1,770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,350
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,990
antoniodiaz // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Gambling Dealers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +69.2% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,200
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,230
DGLimages // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +75.9% (1,230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,850
--- Employment in 2023: 1,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,050
You may also like: Car insurance rates in Illinois August 2025
chalermphon_tiam // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.2% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,110
Noin90650 // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.5% (1,720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,260
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.7% (1,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,020
--- Employment in 2023: 1,690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,750
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.4% (3,440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,770
--- Employment in 2023: 4,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,270
indukas // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Physicists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +84.4% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,660
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $131,260
You may also like: The 30 cities in Illinois where homes are selling the fastest
photodiem // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +87.1% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,690
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +94.0% (2,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,810
--- Employment in 2023: 2,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,430
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Parking Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +110.8% (2,560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,870
--- Employment in 2023: 2,310
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,320
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +144.4% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,100
--- Employment in 2023: 450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $98,240
Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Tree Trimmers and Pruners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +153.5% (660 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,090
--- Employment in 2023: 430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,550
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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