Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Illinois
Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianIllinois | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Real change since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,570 | $53,240 – $269,320 | -18.1%+3.2% nominal |
| 2 | Accountants and AuditorsBachelor's degree | $80,230 | $54,510 – $131,990 | -9.6%+13.8% nominal |
| 3 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksSome college, no degree | $49,560 | $32,360 – $71,480 | -6.2%+18.1% nominal |
| 4 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversPostsecondary nondegree award | $60,320 | $39,710 – $86,300 | -0.9%+24.8% nominal |
| 5 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $75,320 | $47,040 – $105,250 | -0.7%+25.0% nominal |
| 6 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,510 | $44,130 – $134,030 | -0.4%+25.4% nominal |
| 7 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,900 | $38,530 – $154,070 | +0.8%+27.0% nominal |
| 8 | Customer Service RepresentativesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $46,130 | $33,590 – $71,400 | +1.1%+27.4% nominal |
| 9 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $165,880 | $100,070 – $313,110 | +1.5%+27.8% nominal |
| 10 | Security GuardsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $39,490 | $35,520 – $63,950 | +2.2%+28.8% nominal |
| 11 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and ExecutiveHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,310 | $31,930 – $76,790 | +2.4%+29.0% nominal |
| 12 | Office Clerks, GeneralHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,730 | $31,560 – $68,490 | +3.0%+29.8% nominal |
| 13 | Cooks, RestaurantNo formal educational credential | $37,580 | $31,200 – $46,460 | +4.2%+31.2% nominal |
| 14 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential | $37,810 | $31,560 – $50,000 | +4.7%+31.9% nominal |
| 15 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $95,990 | $69,170 – $118,190 | +6.4%+34.0% nominal |
| 16 | Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySome college, no degree | $36,990 | $31,200 – $48,100 | +7.6%+35.4% nominal |
| 17 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, GeneralHigh school diploma or equivalent | $56,720 | $36,120 – $80,740 | +7.7%+35.6% nominal |
| 18 | Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential | $37,680 | $31,460 – $49,040 | +9.0%+37.3% nominal |
| 19 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,140 | $33,410 – $61,770 | +10.8%+39.6% nominal |
| 20 | Retail SalespersonsNo formal educational credential | $35,370 | $31,200 – $48,010 | +12.5%+41.7% nominal |
| 21 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandNo formal educational credential | $40,550 | $31,780 – $55,840 | +12.6%+41.7% nominal |
| 22 | CashiersNo formal educational credential | $34,490 | $31,200 – $38,480 | +17.8%+48.3% nominal |
| 23 | Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,060 | $34,200 – $42,500 | +18.7%+49.4% nominal |
| 24 | Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential | $33,910 | $31,200 – $37,330 | +21.1%+52.5% nominal |
| 25 | Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award | $45,960 | $37,590 – $54,050 | +26.7%+59.5% nominal |
| 26 | Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential | $31,200 | $31,200 – $49,470 | +27.3%+60.2% nominal |