Find a Job You Really Want In
When you think of Illinois, you might envision stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and a culinary scene that’s rich in flavors. However, it’s also home to a robust economy and a thriving job market that continues to evolve.
At Zippia, we take a deep dive into local economies to identify which jobs and industries are thriving. This insight can be invaluable for job seekers and those considering relocating for new opportunities.
In this article, we reveal the best industries for jobs in Illinois as of 2026.
After analyzing the latest data, we identified the top five job industries in Illinois:
Continue reading to discover how we determined which industries stand out in Illinois.
If you’re interested in more about the Illinois job landscape, check out:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Chicago
- The 20 Best Small Companies in Chicago to Work For
- The 10 Best Places in Illinois to Get a Job
How We Determined the Best Job Industries in Illinois
We trust data over subjective opinions. Therefore, we embarked on a mission to gather extensive data on the Illinois job market.
To identify the best industries, we considered the following key criteria:
- Average Salary
- Job Availability
- Average Stress Level in the Industry
Our data sources include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
The stress level was derived from self-reported statistics from professionals in the field. We ranked each industry from 1 to 22, with 1 being the best.
By averaging the rankings, we created a ‘Best Industry’ index, designating Management as the top industry in Illinois.
For a detailed data table, see the bottom of the post. Now, let’s explore the reasons why these industries excel in job opportunities.
Detailed List of the Best Industries in Illinois
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Management | $111,130 |
| 2 | Computer and Mathematical | $85,340 |
| 3 | Education, Training, and Library | $57,480 |
| 4 | Business and Financial Operations | $73,730 |
| 5 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $76,250 |
| 6 | Legal | $105,180 |
| 7 | Production and Manufacturing | $37,150 |
| 8 | Office and Administrative Support | $37,760 |
| 9 | Architecture and Engineering | $80,260 |
| 10 | Transportation | $36,840 |
| 11 | Protective Service | $51,370 |
| 12 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $52,410 |
| 13 | Community and Social Service | $48,780 |
| 14 | Life, Physical, and Social Science | $73,060 |
| 15 | Sales | $42,090 |
| 16 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $49,000 |
| 17 | Healthcare Support | $30,470 |
| 18 | Construction and Extraction | $64,400 |
| 19 | Personal Care and Service | $27,060 |
| 20 | Food Preparation and Serving Related | $23,060 |
| 21 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $30,350 |
| 22 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $31,890 |
Summarizing the Best Industries in Illinois
In summary, the Management industry stands out as the best option for job seekers in Illinois.
Conversely, the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry industry ranks lower due to limited job opportunities and lower pay.
For more insights, take a look at:
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
