Fastest declining jobs in Illinois, 2024–34
Ranked by projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034 in Illinois, most negative first. A declining projection does not mean a job is disappearing — most of these still hire steadily to replace people who leave.
Where these projections come from: State projections are produced by Illinois's own workforce agency and collected by Projections Central — the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes projections only at the national level. Methodology varies by state, so these are not directly comparable with the national figures. Wages remain BLS OEWS.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Projections: Projections Central, 2024–34
| # | Occupation | MedianIllinois | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Growth 2024–34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Print Binding and Finishing WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,880 | $37,780 – $57,500 | -27.7% |
| 2 | Data Entry KeyersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,840 | $31,200 – $59,920 | -26.9% |
| 3 | Switchboard Operators, Including Answering ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,660 | $34,450 – $55,180 | -26.1% |
| 4 | TelemarketersNo formal educational credential | $31,200 | $31,200 – $71,340 | -24.6% |
| 5 | Prepress Technicians and WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $49,450 | $38,290 – $77,000 | -23.2% |
| 6 | Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $55,380 | $36,960 – $72,480 | -21.0% |
| 7 | TellersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,670 | $34,670 – $47,750 | -20.4% |
| 8 | Engine and Other Machine AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,630 | $39,480 – $64,260 | -20.4% |
| 9 | New Accounts ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,040 | $39,090 – $60,470 | -20.2% |
| 10 | Order ClerksSome college, no degree | $47,670 | $36,000 – $60,630 | -19.7% |
| 11 | Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,620 | $34,540 – $51,260 | -19.6% |
| 12 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,340 | $34,760 – $63,180 | -19.0% |
| 13 | Office Machine Operators, Except ComputerHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,360 | $34,440 – $59,990 | -18.4% |
| 14 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $54,930 | $35,990 – $62,830 | -18.2% |
| 15 | Payroll and Timekeeping ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $61,390 | $39,670 – $86,460 | -17.7% |
| 16 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $46,180 | $37,530 – $63,400 | -16.0% |
| 17 | File ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,920 | $32,120 – $73,040 | -15.9% |
| 18 | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award | $64,630 | $42,700 – $100,140 | -15.7% |
| 19 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,360 | $43,680 – $66,950 | -15.3% |
| 20 | Printing Press OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $46,260 | $31,450 – $66,250 | -15.2% |
| 21 | Bill and Account CollectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,140 | $37,490 – $65,780 | -14.7% |
| 22 | Gambling Cage WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $39,900 | $34,270 – $47,570 | -14.5% |
| 23 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,420 | $38,990 – $68,950 | -14.3% |
| 24 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $70,700 | $33,810 – $100,140 | -13.4% |
| 25 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,990 | $36,960 – $73,270 | -13.3% |
| 26 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $61,170 | $39,490 – $82,520 | -13.2% |
| 27 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,440 | $31,200 – $73,880 | -13.0% |
| 28 | Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree | $62,370 | $47,330 – $98,470 | -12.6% |
| 29 | Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential | $34,960 | $31,200 – $40,580 | -12.3% |
| 30 | Carpet InstallersNo formal educational credential | $49,480 | $37,890 – $116,300 | -11.4% |
| 31 | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $58,300 | $42,600 – $75,280 | -11.4% |
| 32 | Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,020 | $38,120 – $57,960 | -11.3% |
| 33 | Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,560 | $31,200 – $58,000 | -11.3% |
| 34 | First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $64,620 | $45,090 – $80,260 | -11.3% |
| 35 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $77,010 | $48,620 – $118,810 | -11.1% |
| 36 | Interviewers, Except Eligibility and LoanHigh school diploma or equivalent | $43,200 | $31,200 – $59,230 | -11.0% |
| 37 | Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,440 | $38,520 – $65,580 | -10.7% |
| 38 | Credit AnalystsBachelor's degree | $84,990 | $58,400 – $172,180 | -10.6% |
| 39 | Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural AnimalsNo formal educational credential | $33,840 | $31,200 – $49,240 | -10.6% |
| 40 | Loan Interviewers and ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $50,000 | $39,030 – $67,400 | -10.6% |
| 41 | Brokerage ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,350 | $44,980 – $95,030 | -10.6% |
| 42 | Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,190 | $31,230 – $50,640 | -10.5% |
| 43 | Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree | $63,320 | $56,710 – $94,930 | -10.5% |
| 44 | Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,440 | $77,330 – $128,040 | -10.5% |
| 45 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $54,180 | $37,360 – $62,980 | -10.3% |
| 46 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,810 | $51,880 – $112,700 | -10.3% |
| 47 | Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree | $89,620 | $59,730 – $161,410 | -9.9% |
| 48 | Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $31,200 | $31,200 – $45,000 | -9.8% |
| 49 | Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree | $72,540 | $50,640 – $142,410 | -9.7% |
| 50 | CashiersNo formal educational credential | $34,490 | $31,200 – $38,480 | -9.2% |