Highest paying jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The best paying occupations in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 3.6% above the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RadiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $479,910 | $236,800 – $479,920 | — |
| 2 | CardiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $475,590 | $84,440 – $749,590 | 150 |
| 3 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $462,620 | $73,320 – $663,980 | 340 |
| 4 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $446,510 | $139,250 – $758,800 | 50 |
| 5 | DermatologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $435,750 | $148,550 – $538,180 | — |
| 6 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $344,960 | $142,940 – $599,520 | 3,610 |
| 7 | Physicians, PathologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $336,660 | $193,230 – $546,710 | — |
| 8 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $293,490 | $179,840 – $429,040 | 6,360 |
| 9 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $284,630 | $53,970 – $421,300 | 510 |
| 10 | Dentists, All Other SpecialistsDoctoral or professional degree | $269,160 | $185,160 – $288,080 | 150 |
| 11 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $265,880 | $103,490 – $479,410 | 840 |
| 12 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $258,750 | $134,770 – $487,560 | 600 |
| 13 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $226,060 | $67,080 – $521,810 | 680 |
| 14 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $225,080 | $94,990 – $320,380 | 1,430 |
| 15 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $208,000 | $208,000 – $369,800 | 1,120 |
| 16 | Air Traffic ControllersAssociate's degree | $189,780 | $89,690 – $225,680 | 850 |
| 17 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $188,340 | $106,520 – $379,260 | 860 |
| 18 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $173,760 | $112,980 – $280,060 | 24,950 |
| 19 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $168,810 | $103,490 – $321,200 | 41,590 |
| 20 | PodiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $167,140 | $67,910 – $327,580 | — |
| 21 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $167,040 | $87,010 – $293,270 | 2,270 |
| 22 | Advertising and Promotions ManagersBachelor's degree | $166,390 | $49,500 – $223,250 | 160 |
| 23 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $165,660 | $87,070 – $331,140 | 28,320 |
| 24 | Medical DosimetristsBachelor's degree | $165,620 | $127,760 – $174,800 | 110 |
| 25 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $165,340 | $98,400 – $277,220 | 17,400 |
| 26 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,430 | $112,440 – $235,240 | 6,670 |
| 27 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $158,690 | $80,060 – $288,430 | 25,390 |
| 28 | Therapists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $157,510 | $61,210 – $193,760 | — |
| 29 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $157,420 | $51,890 – $376,830 | 840 |
| 30 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $156,770 | $93,230 – $270,150 | 10,810 |
| 31 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $156,100 | $123,920 – $290,850 | 5,910 |
| 32 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $155,340 | $79,320 – $237,060 | 610 |
| 33 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $155,080 | $102,690 – $225,450 | 3,250 |
| 34 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $148,730 | $80,770 – $289,310 | 1,530 |
| 35 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $147,490 | $100,510 – $200,120 | 1,260 |
| 36 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $146,580 | $68,710 – $169,990 | 850 |
| 37 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesDoctoral or professional degree | $146,400 | $62,760 – $183,000 | 80 |
| 38 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $145,630 | $93,350 – $186,250 | 1,160 |
| 39 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $145,370 | $83,320 – $239,340 | 26,170 |
| 40 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $143,800 | $95,930 – $205,340 | 5,400 |
| 41 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $140,880 | $84,950 – $171,710 | 8,930 |
| 42 | PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree | $137,140 | $81,830 – $221,380 | 1,510 |
| 43 | NeurologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,030 | $85,140 – $481,040 | 170 |
| 44 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $135,630 | $49,190 – $243,360 | 490 |
| 45 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $135,080 | $106,430 – $162,640 | 3,800 |
| 46 | Nuclear EngineersBachelor's degree | $134,510 | $105,920 – $190,800 | 710 |
| 47 | Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree | $134,510 | $83,870 – $191,800 | 120 |
| 48 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $134,380 | $83,820 – $203,410 | 40,370 |
| 49 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $133,860 | $76,450 – $210,100 | 1,080 |
| 50 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,800 | $76,690 – $225,000 | 1,440 |