KEVIN HOFFMAN
MAY 28, 2014
Reboot Illinois
In today’s economy, earning a four-degree is definitely a competitive advantage, but not necessarily essential for Illinois jobs that offer decent pay.
Graduates are leaving school with diplomas and entering a job market that remains bleak, either opting for positions nowhere near what they majored in or are overqualified for.
About 70 percent of college seniors graduate with student loan debts, an average of $29,400 per borrower in 2012, according to the Institute for College Access & Success.
In Illinois, the average is $28,028 when combining both public and private non-profit four-year institutions, which ranks 15th nationally. The proportion of students graduating with debt is 64 percent – 13th overall.
Recent top 10 lists highlighted the average tuition for public universities, as well as the cost for attending the most applied-to college in the state – University of Illinois, which will run residents about $30,150-35,154 in total expenses for the 2014-15 academic year.
As college costs continuously climb, coupled with a sadly stagnate economy and jarring job market, it’s understandable that people may now mull whether it’s worth investing in four years of expensive education that could potentially yield a poor return on his or her investment.
Forbes has a list of “16 great jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.” In addition, long-term occupational employment projections are included from the Illinois Department of Economic Security (IDES).
1. Dental Hygienist
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $70,210
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +33 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 8,606
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 10,426
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 1,820/21.15 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 182/172/354
- Annual Compound Growth: 1.94
2. Registered Nurse
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $65,470
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +19 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 124,044
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 144,220
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 20,176/16.27 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 2,018/2,245/4,263
- Annual Compound Growth: 1.52
3. Web Developer
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $62,500
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +20 percent
IDES (*Includes IT Security Analysts):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 8,225
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 9,800
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 1,575/19.15 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 158/122/280
- Annual Compound Growth: 1.77
4. Respiratory Therapist
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $55,870
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +19 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 4,106
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 4,688
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 582/14.17 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 58/78/136
- Annual Compound Growth: 1.33
5. Electrician
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $49,840
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +20 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 4,106
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 4,688
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 582/14.17 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 58/78/136
- Annual Compound Growth: 1.33
6. Computer Services Technician
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $48,900
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +17 percent
IDES (*Classifies as Computer, ATM, Office Machine Repairers):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 4,325
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 4,465
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 140/3.24 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 14/106/120
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.32
7. Paralegal Assistant
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $46,990
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +17 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 10,151
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 12,414
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 2,263/22.29 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 226/145/371
- Annual Compound Growth: 2.03
8. Appliance Repairer
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $43,640
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +21 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 1,160
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 1,148
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): -12/-1.03percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 0/21/21
- Annual Compound Growth: -0.10
9. Carpenter
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $39,940
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +24 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 36,363
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 38,739
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 2,376/6.53 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 238/771/1,009
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.63
10. Automobile Body Repairer
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $37,680
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +13 percent
IDES (*Classifies as Automotive Body & Related Repairers):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 8,022
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 8,469
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 447/5.57 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 45/194/239
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.54
11. Welder
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $36,300
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +6 percent
IDES (*Classifies as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, Brazers):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 14,154
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 15,021
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 867/6.13 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 87/378/465
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.60
12. Administrative Assistant
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $35,330
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +12 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 149,648
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 156,078
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 6,430/4.30 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 687/2,006/2,693
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.42
13. Bookkeeper
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $35,170
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +11 percent
IDES (*Classifies as bookkeeping, accounting, auditing clerks):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 61,975
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 66,422
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 4,447/7.18 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 445/682/1,127
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.70
14. Medical Records Technician
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $34,160
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +22 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 7,874
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 8,425
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 551/7.00 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 55/158/213
- Annual Compound Growth: 0.68
15. Skin care Specialist
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $28,640
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +40 percent
IDES:
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 1,889
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 2,497
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 608/32.19 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 61/34/95
- Annual Compound Growth: 2.83
16. Hair Stylist
Forbes:
- Median Salary: $22,770
- 2022 Hiring Outlook: +13 percent
IDES(*Classifies as hairdressers, hairstylists, cosmetologists):
- Base Year Employment in 2010: 25,152
- Projected Year Employment 2020: 30,747
- Employment Change 2010-2020 (number/percent): 5,595/22.24 percent
- Average Annual Job Openings due to (Growth/Replacement/Total): 560/480/1,040
- Annual Compound Growth: 2.03
You can view the full long-term employment projection spreadsheet below:
Long-term Employment Projections
Next article: These 25 Chicago employers provide the most jobs
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Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.