Highest-paying jobs in Champaign
Written by:
March 12, 2021
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Highest-paying jobs in Champaign
Stacker collected information on the highest-paying jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2019.
In Champaign, the annual mean wage is $51,560 or 3.6% lower than national mean of $53,490, while the highest-paying occupation makes $238,460. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

1 / 50
sculpies // Shutterstock
#50. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $77,300
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,440
- Employment: 626,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,140)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($104,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,580)
- Annual mean salary: $77,300
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $71,440
- Employment: 626,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,140)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($104,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($99,580)

2 / 50
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
#49. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $79,040
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,180
- Employment: 249,090
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($116,640)
--- Raleigh, NC ($112,570)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,260)
- Annual mean salary: $79,040
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,180
- Employment: 249,090
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($116,640)
--- Raleigh, NC ($112,570)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($110,260)

3 / 50
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
#48. Electricians
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $79,050
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,370
- Employment: 688,620
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($100,400)
--- Trenton, NJ ($84,950)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($84,810)
- Annual mean salary: $79,050
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,370
- Employment: 688,620
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($100,400)
--- Trenton, NJ ($84,950)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($84,810)

4 / 50
Vera Larina // Shutterstock
#47. Sheet metal workers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,480
- Employment: 131,300
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($96,050)
--- Pittsfield, MA ($83,850)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,270)
- Annual mean salary: $79,520
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,480
- Employment: 131,300
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($96,050)
--- Pittsfield, MA ($83,850)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($81,270)
5 / 50
USACE NY // Flickr
#46. Construction managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $79,960
- #306 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($160,500)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($148,140)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($146,820)
- Annual mean salary: $79,960
- #306 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,000
- Employment: 293,380
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($160,500)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($148,140)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($146,820)

6 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#45. Database administrators and architects
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $80,120
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,110
- Employment: 125,460
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,580)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,780)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($114,960)
- Annual mean salary: $80,120
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $96,110
- Employment: 125,460
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,580)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($116,780)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($114,960)
7 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#44. Architects, except landscape and naval
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $80,690
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- Employment: 105,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($123,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,550)
--- Lubbock, TX ($116,720)
- Annual mean salary: $80,690
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $89,560
- Employment: 105,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($123,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,550)
--- Lubbock, TX ($116,720)
8 / 50
Canva
#43. Electrical engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $81,110
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,480
- Employment: 185,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,450)
--- Salinas, CA ($129,850)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($128,080)
- Annual mean salary: $81,110
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,480
- Employment: 185,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,450)
--- Salinas, CA ($129,850)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($128,080)
9 / 50
Kelly Ogden // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $81,900
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,320
- Employment: 132,040
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($151,260)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($144,220)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($139,860)
- Annual mean salary: $81,900
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $103,320
- Employment: 132,040
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($151,260)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($144,220)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($139,860)
10 / 50
Canva
#41. Mechanical engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $82,470
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($123,270)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($120,950)
- Annual mean salary: $82,470
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $93,540
- Employment: 306,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($123,270)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($120,950)

11 / 50
Canva
#40. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $83,070
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,210
- Employment: 405,750
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($92,640)
--- Kankakee, IL ($87,470)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,240)
- Annual mean salary: $83,070
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $54,210
- Employment: 405,750
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($92,640)
--- Kankakee, IL ($87,470)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($86,240)
12 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#39. Industrial engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $83,110
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($131,850)
--- Billings, MT ($124,350)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,940)
- Annual mean salary: $83,110
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,660
- Employment: 291,710
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($131,850)
--- Billings, MT ($124,350)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,940)
13 / 50
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock
#38. Occupational therapists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $85,930
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
- Annual mean salary: $85,930
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)

14 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#36 (tie). Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,360
- Employment: 5,060
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($119,300)
--- Salinas, CA ($117,330)
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($109,080)
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $80,360
- Employment: 5,060
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($119,300)
--- Salinas, CA ($117,330)
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($109,080)

15 / 50
Canva
#36 (tie). Materials engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,890
- Employment: 26,820
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,690)
--- Boulder, CO ($127,260)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($126,970)
- Annual mean salary: $86,250
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $97,890
- Employment: 26,820
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($127,690)
--- Boulder, CO ($127,260)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($126,970)

16 / 50
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
#35. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $86,670
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,670
- Employment: 120,900
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($90,480)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,820)
--- Redding, CA ($88,850)
- Annual mean salary: $86,670
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,670
- Employment: 120,900
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($90,480)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,820)
--- Redding, CA ($88,850)

17 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
#34. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $89,790
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,730)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($145,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($134,090)
- Annual mean salary: $89,790
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,620
- Employment: 1,406,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($145,730)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($145,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($134,090)
18 / 50
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
#33. Physical therapists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $90,530
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
- Annual mean salary: $90,530
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)

19 / 50
comzeal images // Shutterstock
#32. Loan officers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $92,250
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($117,330)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($113,480)
--- Yuba City, CA ($113,340)
- Annual mean salary: $92,250
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,200
- Employment: 308,370
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($117,330)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($113,480)
--- Yuba City, CA ($113,340)

20 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#31. Training and development managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $92,290
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,470
- Employment: 38,510
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($168,900)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($152,380)
- Annual mean salary: $92,290
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,470
- Employment: 38,510
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($168,900)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($152,380)
21 / 50
David Bibo // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $93,680
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,340
- Employment: 271,020
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($150,080)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($143,890)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,820)
- Annual mean salary: $93,680
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $100,340
- Employment: 271,020
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Modesto, CA ($150,080)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($143,890)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($138,820)
22 / 50
Austin Community College // Flickr
#29. Veterinarians
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $94,890
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
- Annual mean salary: $94,890
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)

23 / 50
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock
#28. Industrial production managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $95,250
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)
- Annual mean salary: $95,250
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $115,110
- Employment: 185,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Florence, SC ($158,000)
--- Boulder, CO ($149,990)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($149,500)

24 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#27. Human resources managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($196,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($174,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($170,070)
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $129,570
- Employment: 154,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($196,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($174,390)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($170,070)
25 / 50
Pixabay
#26. General and operations managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $96,630
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($189,060)
--- Trenton, NJ ($173,050)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,160)
- Annual mean salary: $96,630
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 2,400,280
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($189,060)
--- Trenton, NJ ($173,050)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($167,160)
26 / 50
TopRank Online Marketing // Flickr
#25. Marketing managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $96,650
- #246 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($199,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($188,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($183,460)
- Annual mean salary: $96,650
- #246 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
National
- Annual mean salary: $149,200
- Employment: 263,680
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($199,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($188,810)
--- Boulder, CO ($183,460)
27 / 50
Financial Times // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Personal financial advisors
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $96,780
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($178,100)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($173,970)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($171,370)
- Annual mean salary: $96,780
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $119,290
- Employment: 210,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($178,100)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($173,970)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($171,370)
28 / 50
Canva
#23. Civil engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $97,140
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($120,110)
--- Midland, TX ($117,900)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($117,200)
- Annual mean salary: $97,140
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,360
- Employment: 310,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($120,110)
--- Midland, TX ($117,900)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($117,200)

29 / 50
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
#22. Financial examiners
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $98,480
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,330
- Employment: 64,550
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($125,290)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,720)
- Annual mean salary: $98,480
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $92,330
- Employment: 64,550
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($125,290)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($125,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,720)
30 / 50
NTNU // Flickr
#21. Natural sciences managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $98,890
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,450
- Employment: 67,720
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($222,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($208,910)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($206,710)
- Annual mean salary: $98,890
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $145,450
- Employment: 67,720
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($222,530)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($208,910)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($206,710)
31 / 50
EU2017EE // Flickr
#20. Information security analysts
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $99,230
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,210
- Employment: 125,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,040)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($127,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
- Annual mean salary: $99,230
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $104,210
- Employment: 125,570
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,040)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($127,850)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)

32 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock
#19. Management analysts
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $99,400
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)
- Annual mean salary: $99,400
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $95,560
- Employment: 709,750
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($132,090)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($127,750)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($127,570)

33 / 50
Fabrice Florin // flickr
#18. Education teachers, postsecondary
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $102,940
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,560
- Employment: 61,300
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rochester, NY ($108,450)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($107,300)
--- Toledo, OH ($106,940)
- Annual mean salary: $102,940
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $74,560
- Employment: 61,300
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rochester, NY ($108,450)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($107,300)
--- Toledo, OH ($106,940)

34 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#17. Nurse practitioners
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $108,120
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
- Annual mean salary: $108,120
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)

35 / 50
Canva
#16. Financial managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $108,410
- #272 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($208,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($203,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,190)
- Annual mean salary: $108,410
- #272 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $147,530
- Employment: 654,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($208,770)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($203,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($182,190)
36 / 50
Suzanne M. Day // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Nurse midwives
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $109,820
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)
- Annual mean salary: $109,820
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $108,810
- Employment: 6,930
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($163,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($156,450)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($130,140)

37 / 50
Canva
#14. Sales managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $114,550
- #247 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($195,220)
--- Trenton, NJ ($178,020)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($175,500)
- Annual mean salary: $114,550
- #247 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $141,690
- Employment: 402,600
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($195,220)
--- Trenton, NJ ($178,020)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($175,500)
38 / 50
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Computer and information systems managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $115,790
- #238 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,390
- Employment: 433,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($215,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,960)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($196,290)
- Annual mean salary: $115,790
- #238 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $156,390
- Employment: 433,960
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($215,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($201,960)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($196,290)

39 / 50
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
#12. Computer hardware engineers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $118,120
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 67,880
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,210)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($149,740)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($142,820)
- Annual mean salary: $118,120
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $123,030
- Employment: 67,880
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($161,210)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($149,740)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($142,820)
40 / 50
Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Physician assistants
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $126,490
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
- Annual mean salary: $126,490
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
41 / 50
Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force
#10. Pharmacists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $127,310
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
- Annual mean salary: $127,310
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
42 / 50
Pixabay
#9. Architectural and engineering managers
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $127,370
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $152,930
- Employment: 194,250
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($203,310)
--- Amarillo, TX ($198,010)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($188,210)
- Annual mean salary: $127,370
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $152,930
- Employment: 194,250
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($203,310)
--- Amarillo, TX ($198,010)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($188,210)
43 / 50
Canva
#8. General internal medicine physicians
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $158,520
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)
- Annual mean salary: $158,520
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)
44 / 50
Maurizio Pesce // flickr
#7. Chief executives
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $188,820
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)
- Annual mean salary: $188,820
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $193,850
- Employment: 205,890
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($270,040)
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($264,330)
--- Midland, TX ($258,760)
45 / 50
Canva
#6. Nurse anesthetists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $197,450
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
- Annual mean salary: $197,450
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
46 / 50
Canva
#5. Pediatricians, general
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $219,970
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
- Annual mean salary: $219,970
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
47 / 50
Canva
#4. Dentists, general
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $221,460
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
- Annual mean salary: $221,460
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
48 / 50
Canva
#3. Family medicine physicians
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $232,850
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
- Annual mean salary: $232,850
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
49 / 50
Canva
#2. Obstetricians and gynecologists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $238,090
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)
- Annual mean salary: $238,090
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $233,610
- Employment: 18,620
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fayetteville, NC ($284,520)
--- Akron, OH ($282,650)
--- Albuquerque, NM ($281,800)

50 / 50
Kzenon // Shutterstock
#1. Optometrists
Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Annual mean salary: $238,460
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
- Annual mean salary: $238,460
- #1 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)



