Job seekers in Chicago will be happy to hear there are some well-paying employment opportunities in the metropolitan area. A number of these positions are in the medical and technical fields, which is not surprising as this reflects national trends. There are, however, many other lucrative career paths available in Chicago, and these are the ten highest paying jobs:
1. Doctors
Medical degrees are worth the investment. Surgeons in Chicago have an average annual income of $252,000. Practitioners such as OB/GYNs and general physicians earn about $195,000 and $172,000, respectively. A number of other medical specialists earn more than $145,000 per year.
See available doctor jobs in Chicago
2. Business management
Business expertise in the Windy City is well rewarded and there are plenty of good opportunities in management. Financial managers pull in the highest salaries at an average of $130,000 per year. However, other management positions earn well too. For instance, sales, marketing, and advertising or promotions managers make in excess of $120,000. Those with the experience to lead an organization can expect to earn about $178,000 a year as a CEO.
See available business manager jobs in Chicago
3. Architectural and engineering managers
Construction in Chicago is on the upswing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the local construction industry added 9,500 jobs between August 2015 and August 2016. That is an increase of 5.4 percent, which is higher than the nationwide average of 2.7 percent. Architectural and engineering experts, who earn about $128,000 per year, are likely to benefit from this growth.
See available architectural manager jobs in Chicago
See available engineering manager jobs in Chicago
4. Computer and information system managers
As technology progresses and continues to boom, the demand for support positions grows as well. In Chicagoland, people who have the credentials to land computer and information management positions can expect to earn about $125,000 annually.
See available computer manager jobs in Chicago
See available information system manager jobs in Chicago
5. Dentists and orthodontists
This is another top-earning occupation in the medical field. Oral specialists working in Chicago can earn between $125,000 and $130,000 per year, on average, with dentists earning slightly more.
See available dentist jobs in Chicago
See available orthodontist jobs in Chicago
6. Lawyers
Practicing lawyers in Chicago earn about $126,000 per year, and those with the right legal credentials can also earn a nice income in their area of expertise. Law professors earn, on average, between $115,000 and $116,000 a year. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earn around $110,000.
See available lawyer jobs in Chicago
7. Airline pilots, co-pilots and flight engineers
Are you an aviation enthusiast and want to make a career of it? Those who do earn nicely in Chicago. Airline pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers make about $120,000 a year.
See available airline pilot jobs in Chicago
See available flight engineer jobs in Chicago
8. Scientists
Scientists working in Chicago also earn a good salary. Whether one’s expertise is in the natural sciences, physical sciences or another area, annual salaries are approximately $115,000.
See available scientist jobs in Chicago
9. Medical and health services managers
There is a strong demand for health care specialists and long-term forecasts are showing the service segment in this industry will continue to grow steadily. Those working their way up the ladder through experience or education can expect to earn about $111,000 per year in medical and health services management positions.
See available medical manager jobs in Chicago
See available health services manager jobs in Chicago
10. Information security analysts
Information security is a steadily growing field across the United States. With the ongoing cyberthreats organizations face, this skillset is in high demand. In Chicago, the average information security analyst earns about $90,000, but the best-paid analysts can earn up to $150,000. Don’t rule out other tech-related jobs though. Many others, such as Java developers, earn close to $100,000 a year.
See available information security analyst jobs in Chicago
In addition to these 10 fields, other high-paying career paths include computer network architects, general and operations managers and education administrators (elementary and secondary schools). Considering the metro area is home to dozens of Fortune 500 companies, the possibilities are open.