Fastest growing jobs in Illinois, 2024–34
Ranked by projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034 in Illinois. Percent growth favours small occupations, so the openings column is often the more useful number — a fast-growing job with few openings is harder to enter than a flat one with many.
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 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $130,680 | $102,440 – $161,470 | +41.0% |
| 2 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $106,560 | $68,810 – $168,880 | +27.5% |
| 3 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $117,850 | $75,920 – $227,180 | +27.5% |
| 4 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $131,950 | $105,160 – $162,330 | +22.0% |
| 5 | Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $46,200 | $36,820 – $53,620 | +21.8% |
| 6 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $100,660 | $78,350 – $122,680 | +21.5% |
| 7 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $84,090 | $64,480 – $100,100 | +21.4% |
| 8 | Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree | $65,240 | $41,600 – $81,890 | +20.7% |
| 9 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $124,180 | $78,760 – $172,830 | +20.6% |
| 10 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $92,860 | $49,410 – $214,090 | +20.0% |
| 11 | Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree | $89,800 | $62,500 – $164,990 | +19.5% |
| 12 | Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsAssociate's degree | $62,780 | $41,140 – $80,870 | +19.4% |
| 13 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $79,150 | $47,690 – $103,220 | +18.8% |
| 14 | Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree | $64,120 | $47,830 – $80,150 | +18.7% |
| 15 | Exercise PhysiologistsBachelor's degree | $60,130 | $50,220 – $84,020 | +18.3% |
| 16 | Industrial Machinery MechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,200 | $49,230 – $102,590 | +18.1% |
| 17 | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree | $60,730 | $43,010 – $109,100 | +17.9% |
| 18 | Medical Equipment PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,050 | $38,280 – $66,390 | +17.2% |
| 19 | Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential | $37,580 | $31,200 – $46,460 | +16.2% |
| 20 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $133,580 | $74,840 – $280,380 | +16.0% |
| 21 | LogisticiansBachelor's degree | $80,100 | $48,020 – $128,070 | +16.0% |
| 22 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $99,700 | $73,360 – $132,180 | +15.9% |
| 23 | Hearing Aid SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,050 | $31,200 – $82,890 | +15.7% |
| 24 | Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,060 | $34,200 – $42,500 | +15.6% |
| 25 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $95,080 | $60,870 – $123,800 | +15.5% |
| 26 | Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $46,440 | $38,580 – $60,520 | +15.3% |
| 27 | Mechanical Door RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $65,090 | $48,730 – $72,850 | +15.1% |
| 28 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $37,480 | $31,550 – $47,000 | +14.9% |
| 29 | Taxi DriversNo formal educational credential | $36,770 | $31,200 – $44,390 | +14.6% |
| 30 | Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $47,100 | $36,190 – $60,490 | +14.6% |
| 31 | ActuariesBachelor's degree | $115,430 | $77,790 – $202,160 | +13.7% |
| 32 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $98,270 | $61,160 – $137,000 | +13.5% |
| 33 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $95,380 | $77,410 – $109,550 | +13.2% |
| 34 | Therapists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $116,200 | $57,240 – $193,760 | +13.0% |
| 35 | Counselors, All OtherMaster's degree | $49,360 | $33,410 – $83,440 | +12.9% |
| 36 | Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $35,570 | $31,200 – $50,160 | +12.8% |
| 37 | OrderliesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $39,450 | $34,870 – $44,920 | +12.8% |
| 38 | Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $59,800 | $38,670 – $79,880 | +12.7% |
| 39 | Financial ExaminersBachelor's degree | $93,150 | $59,800 – $167,270 | +12.4% |
| 40 | Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree | $67,380 | $42,190 – $99,880 | +12.3% |
| 41 | Dietetic TechniciansAssociate's degree | $42,550 | $36,490 – $49,840 | +12.3% |
| 42 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree | $40,910 | $36,030 – $60,890 | +12.0% |
| 43 | Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $61,870 | $40,550 – $105,150 | +11.9% |
| 44 | Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,960 | $31,200 – $65,680 | +11.9% |
| 45 | PhlebotomistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $46,010 | $37,370 – $54,920 | +11.8% |
| 46 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $286,830 | $103,490 – $335,610 | +11.8% |
| 47 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree | $49,960 | $39,910 – $79,050 | +11.7% |
| 48 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $104,950 | $84,590 – $122,800 | +11.7% |
| 49 | Food BatchmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,130 | $34,680 – $61,750 | +11.6% |
| 50 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $140,680 | $63,940 – $349,420 | +11.6% |