Reboot Illinois
“Where are all the jobs?”
That question has become a common one in Illinois. Job creation is a key issue in the hotly contested gubernatorial race between Republican businessman Bruce Rauner and Democratic incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn.
According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, May’s unemployment ratefell to 7.5 percent from 7.9 in April. However, preliminary figures indicate the state still lost 2,600 non-farm jobs, and the number of unemployed individuals dropped 23,600 to 492,400.
Another important debate, which voters will see on the November ballot as an advisory referendum, is whether minimum wage should be raised from its current rate of $8.25 to $10. Currently, Illinois has the fifth highest in the U.S. and highest among our border neighbors.
But what about the opposite end of the earning spectrum?
As a follow up to last year’s 25 best-paying Illinois jobs, we’ve updated the list with the latest available data from IDES.
Ranked by median annual wage, here were the 28 highest-paid occupations in 2012, as well as entry and experienced wages.
1. Surgeons
- Entry: $193,443
- Median: $187,217
- Experienced: N/A
2. Anesthesiologists
- Entry: $165, 207
- Median: $187,207
- Experienced: $248,065
3. Internists (General)
- Entry: $107,390
- Median: $187,202
- Experienced: $239,508
4. Obstetricians & Gynecologists
- Entry: $115,155
- Median: $186,318
- Experienced: $235,983
5. Family & General Practitioners
- Entry: $95,858
- Median: $175,004
- Experienced: $225,167
6. Physicians & Surgeons (All Other)
- Entry: $56,463
- Median: $164,392
- Experienced: $216,345
7. Pediatricians (General)
- Entry: $108,992
- Median: $162,286
- Experienced: $204,118
8. Nurse Anesthetists
- Entry: $127,678
- Median: $153,772
- Experienced: $174,647
9. Air Traffic Controllers
- Entry: $87,361
- Median: $151,446
- Experienced: $160,171
10. Psychiatrists
- Entry: $92,815
- Median: $151,260
- Experienced: $203,746
11. Dentists (All Other Specialists)
- Entry: $121,579
- Median: $149,907
- Experienced: $199,801
12. Chief Executives
- Entry: $74,248
- Median: $149,120
- Experienced: $206,433
13. Lawyers
- Entry: $64,804
- Median: $128,557
- Experienced: $176,259
14. Podiatrists
- Entry: $54,074
- Median: $118,815
- Experienced: $150,574
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15. Natural Sciences Managers
- Entry: $85,544
- Median: $115,221
- Experienced: $136,047
16. Pharmacists
- Entry: $83,695
- Median: $114,481
- Experienced: $125,003
17. Engineering Managers
- Entry: $77,283
- Median: $113,619
- Experienced: $140,905
18. Airline Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
- Entry: $67,418
- Median: $112,797
- Experienced: $153,371
19. Computer & Information Systems Managers
- Entry: $74,447
- Median: $112,740
- Experienced: $139,992
20. Nuclear Engineers
- Entry: $91,492
- Median: $110,064
- Experienced: $120,026
21. Financial Managers
- Entry: $62,861
- Median: $107,403
- Experienced: $150,035
22. Aerospace Engineers
- Entry: $73,140
- Median: $106,627
- Experienced: $122,158
23. Optometrists
- Entry: $71,588
- Median: $105,950
- Experienced: $127,085
24. Physicists
- Entry: $54,589
- Median: $105,195
- Experienced: $136,673
25. Computer & Information Scientists (Research)
- Entry: $70,184
- Median: $103,645
- Experienced: $128,261
26. Orthodontists
- Entry: $55,092
- Median: $102,044
- Experienced: $131,680
27. Marketing Managers
- Entry: $59,927
- Median: $101,460
- Experienced: $135,627
28. Computer Network Architects
- Entry: $70,971
- Median: $101,141
- Experienced: $116,706
Clearly, those who work in the medical field make up the majority of this list, along with engineers and computer specialists. Additionally, they were the only six-figure earners based median annual wage, according to the data.
While it’s certainly expensive to obtain an education that will qualify you for these positions — and extremely competitive — there are undoubtedly other jobs and ways to make a lot of money. Just take a look at how much these top 25 school district superintendents make.
Or, with a little entrepreneurial spirit and a good business idea, you can be your own boss.
Next article: 10 best and worst industries for Illinois job seekers over the next five years
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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.