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