Highest-paying jobs in Springfield, Illinois

Despite recession fears and falling consumer confidence, the job market in the United States has remained relatively stable in 2025 thus far. According to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 177,000 new jobs were added in April, a slight decrease from the 185,000 new jobs added in the month before, but an extension of the country's 52-month streak of job growth. Unemployment rates also held relatively steady between April 2024 and April 2025, coming in at around 4%.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Americans have it easy in the workplace. A December 2024 Payscale report found that nearly half (47%) of business organizations struggle to balance fair pay practices with spend optimization, and 18% plan to reduce pay increases in 2025 as a result.

For context, median weekly earnings across all employees in the U.S. stood at $1,194 in the first quarter of 2025. This represents an increase of 4.8% from a year prior and exceeds the Consumer Price Index's 2.7% increase in the same time period. However, there's one caveat: Earnings go much further in some places than in others.

In fact, the very definition of a "high-paying" job varies by location, as well as other factors such as industry and benefits. Even a six-figure salary may be considered low-income in places with an unusually high cost of living. Meanwhile, technology, finance, and health care jobs lead in terms of salary, but benefits like remote work can make other lower-paying jobs more desirable.

Regardless, anyone seeking a high-paying job should start by looking at the numbers. Stacker used BLS data to find the 50 highest-paying jobs in Springfield. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.

boonchoke // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Business operations specialists, all other

- Median annual wage: $93,590
- Median hourly wage: $45.00
- Total employment: 2,290 people (22.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. General and operations managers

- Median annual wage: $94,650
- Median hourly wage: $45.51
- Total employment: 2,580 people (25.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SofikoS // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Diagnostic medical sonographers

- Median annual wage: $94,920
- Median hourly wage: $45.64
- Total employment: 110 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Computer occupations, all other

- Median annual wage: $95,260
- Median hourly wage: $45.80
- Total employment: 170 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Environmental engineers

- Median annual wage: $95,990
- Median hourly wage: $46.15
- Total employment: 140 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Data scientists

- Median annual wage: $96,220
- Median hourly wage: $46.26
- Total employment: 60 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Mechanical engineers

- Median annual wage: $96,240
- Median hourly wage: $46.27
- Total employment: 80 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Patrizio Martorana // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health

- Median annual wage: $96,640
- Median hourly wage: $46.46
- Total employment: 230 people (2.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

michaeljung // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Power plant operators

- Median annual wage: $97,940
- Median hourly wage: $47.09
- Total employment: 60 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Csomos Attila // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers

- Median annual wage: $98,390
- Median hourly wage: $47.30
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Undrey // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Financial and investment analysts

- Median annual wage: $99,250
- Median hourly wage: $47.72
- Total employment: 90 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Electrical engineers

- Median annual wage: $99,320
- Median hourly wage: $47.75
- Total employment: 60 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Irene Miller // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

- Median annual wage: $99,950
- Median hourly wage: $48.05
- Total employment: 230 people (2.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Facilities managers

- Median annual wage: $99,980
- Median hourly wage: $48.07
- Total employment: 110 people (1.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

VE.Studio // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Natural sciences managers

- Median annual wage: $101,020
- Median hourly wage: $48.57
- Total employment: 40 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Physical therapists

- Median annual wage: $101,230
- Median hourly wage: $48.67
- Total employment: 190 people (1.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $102,050
- Median hourly wage: $49.06
- Total employment: 70 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Network and computer systems administrators

- Median annual wage: $102,230
- Median hourly wage: $49.15
- Total employment: 570 people (5.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Civil engineers

- Median annual wage: $102,330
- Median hourly wage: $49.20
- Total employment: 450 people (4.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $102,460
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 50 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Industrial production managers

- Median annual wage: $102,520
- Median hourly wage: $49.29
- Total employment: 60 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Software developers

- Median annual wage: $102,710
- Median hourly wage: $49.38
- Total employment: 690 people (6.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. Veterinarians

- Median annual wage: $103,190
- Median hourly wage: $49.61
- Total employment: 50 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Construction managers

- Median annual wage: $103,660
- Median hourly wage: $49.84
- Total employment: 230 people (2.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Medical and health services managers

- Median annual wage: $104,300
- Median hourly wage: $50.15
- Total employment: 450 people (4.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GaudiLab // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Personal financial advisors

- Median annual wage: $104,470
- Median hourly wage: $50.22
- Total employment: 80 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Architects, except landscape and naval

- Median annual wage: $105,770
- Median hourly wage: $50.85
- Total employment: 60 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

creativemarc // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Administrative services managers

- Median annual wage: $106,030
- Median hourly wage: $50.97
- Total employment: Not available

Washburn HM // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Transportation inspectors

- Median annual wage: $106,850
- Median hourly wage: $51.37
- Total employment: 60 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Median annual wage: $107,700
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 310 people (3.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

- Median annual wage: $108,270
- Median hourly wage: $52.05
- Total employment: 170 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Engineers, all other

- Median annual wage: $114,010
- Median hourly wage: $54.81
- Total employment: 40 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Computer systems analysts

- Median annual wage: $115,740
- Median hourly wage: $55.64
- Total employment: 820 people (7.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Public relations managers

- Median annual wage: $115,860
- Median hourly wage: $55.70
- Total employment: 70 people (0.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

dokurose // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Sales managers

- Median annual wage: $122,090
- Median hourly wage: $58.70
- Total employment: 270 people (2.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Human resources managers

- Median annual wage: $123,470
- Median hourly wage: $59.36
- Total employment: 130 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. Marketing managers

- Median annual wage: $123,660
- Median hourly wage: $59.45
- Total employment: 150 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Nurse practitioners

- Median annual wage: $125,510
- Median hourly wage: $60.34
- Total employment: 400 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SpeedKingz // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Managers, all other

- Median annual wage: $126,500
- Median hourly wage: $60.82
- Total employment: 370 people (3.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. Lawyers

- Median annual wage: $127,190
- Median hourly wage: $61.15
- Total employment: 550 people (5.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kanghophoto // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Financial managers

- Median annual wage: $129,270
- Median hourly wage: $62.15
- Total employment: 570 people (5.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Computer network architects

- Median annual wage: $129,620
- Median hourly wage: $62.32
- Total employment: 90 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stokkete // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Physician assistants

- Median annual wage: $129,790
- Median hourly wage: $62.40
- Total employment: 80 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

BOY ANTHONY // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. Architectural and engineering managers

- Median annual wage: $133,110
- Median hourly wage: $64.00
- Total employment: 60 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#6. Pharmacists

- Median annual wage: $135,060
- Median hourly wage: $64.93
- Total employment: 290 people (2.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Frame Stock Footage // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Computer and information systems managers

- Median annual wage: $135,200
- Median hourly wage: $65.00
- Total employment: 250 people (2.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. Chief executives

- Median annual wage: $191,720
- Median hourly wage: $92.17
- Total employment: 80 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Photoroyalty // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: Not available

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 640 people (6.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. Psychiatrists (tie)

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 30 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cu Fleshman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.

Highest-paying jobs in Springfield, Illinois

#50. Business operations specialists, all other

#49. General and operations managers

#48. Diagnostic medical sonographers

#47. Computer occupations, all other

#46. Environmental engineers

#45. Data scientists

#44. Mechanical engineers

#43. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health

#42. Power plant operators

#41. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers

#40. Financial and investment analysts

#39. Electrical engineers

#38. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

#37. Facilities managers

#36. Natural sciences managers

#35. Physical therapists

#34. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

#33. Network and computer systems administrators

#32. Civil engineers

#31. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

#30. Industrial production managers

#29. Software developers

#28. Veterinarians

#27. Construction managers

#26. Medical and health services managers

#25. Personal financial advisors

#24. Architects, except landscape and naval

#23. Administrative services managers

#22. Transportation inspectors

#21. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

#20. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

#19. Engineers, all other

#18. Computer systems analysts

#17. Public relations managers

#16. Sales managers

#15. Human resources managers

#14. Marketing managers

#13. Nurse practitioners

#12. Managers, all other

#11. Lawyers

#10. Financial managers

#9. Computer network architects

#8. Physician assistants

#7. Architectural and engineering managers

#6. Pharmacists

#5. Computer and information systems managers

#4. Chief executives

#1. Surgeons, all other (tie)

#1. Physicians, all other (tie)

#1. Psychiatrists (tie)

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