Although wages are not the only thing to consider when looking for a job, you should research the wages for occupations in your area. You should also find out which jobs are in demand in your economic region.
To find and compare occupational wages specific to a county within the State of Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Employment Security's County Occupational Wages 
website. Note: to view, download, or print wage information from this site, you must either have Adobe Acrobat Reader or MS Excel.
To find regional, state-wide, and national wage information for a job, use our Explore Job Information page.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed information on occupational and industry-wide wages, earnings, and benefits. This information includes: wages by area and occupation, earnings by industry, employee benefits, and much more. To learn more about wages, earnings, and benefits, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics web site.
When exploring a job or career path, you should examine and understand what jobs have the best potential for future growth and employment.
A good place to start examining career and workforce trends is Career Voyages .
Additionally, the State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed information on an occupation's expected growth, required training and education, and number of openings each year. For further information and to evaluate an occupation's potential for future growth, visit: