top 12 jobs and growing industries in chicago, illinois.

While it’s been over half a century since Frank Sinatra declared Chicago to be his kind of town, this city still draws job seekers from all over the country, and for good reason. It’s got all the perks you expect in a big city — good public transit, a vibrant yet edgy theater scene and tons of nightlife. When you need to escape, Lake Michigan is right on your doorstep and O’Hare Airport gets you anywhere in the country within a few hours.

Best of all, there are plenty of opportunities in established and growing industries in Chicago, from finance jobs and manufacturing roles to positions in IT and life sciences. By occupation, the highest proportion of roles is in administration (12.6 percent), followed by logistics (11 percent) and management (8.9 percent), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare is another big employer, thanks to the huge Illinois Medical District’s 40 healthcare facilities.

Read on for a rundown of the 12 best jobs in Chicago, including those hiring without a degree and remote positions. Randstad research indicates Chicago salaries are broadly on par with national averages, so we’ve provided estimates from the mid range of our data.

There are an estimated 100,000 registered businesses in Chicago, from independent companies to Fortune 500 headquarters. Many of these organizations depend on data entry clerks to manage their databases, organize files and ensure that essential information is recorded and accessible. This role often hires for remote and part-time positions, and typically does not require any formal qualifications. Average annual salaries for a full-time position range between $32k and $37k.

Illinois has the eighth-largest tech talent pool in the nation, with Chicago leading the way in IT startups. Hubs like 1871 nurture, mentor and equip tech innovators, and the city has a robust tech talent pipeline — Chicago area schools granted over 5,400 computer and information sciences degrees in 2021. DevOps development is a top tech job where you would work to develop and deploy reliable, scalable software, earning an annual salary of $128k to $150k.

If you’re a detail-oriented problem solver, this could be the tech job for you. QA engineers are a vital link in getting software ready to launch, by working alongside software developers to test their programs and identify glitches. In this role, you could earn between $122k and $146k annually.

Some of the mainstays of Chicago’s manufacturing industry include petroleum and coal products, textiles, chemicals, and plastics and rubber products. As a process engineer, you would use your passion for chemistry to turn raw materials into profitable goods like these. In this role, expect to earn $90k to $105k annually.

In addition to a thriving healthtech scene, Chicago is one of the nation’s top pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, with big-name employers including Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Novartis and Pfizer. As a drug safety specialist, you would play a key role in quality control, conducting medical reviews and supporting safety management programs. Annual salaries range from $69k to $88k.

Illinois is home to around 72,000 farms, producing mainly soybeans and corn, plus specialty crops and livestock. These food manufacturers depend on Chicago’s logistics industry, and material handlers are vital in this supply chain. As one of these multitasking professionals, your responsibilities would range from shipping and receiving goods to stocking shelves and loading vehicles, with an hourly wage of $15 to $17.