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Wages and Trends

When exploring a job or career path, you should find what jobs have the best potential for future growth and employment. Review Labor Market Information Link opens in a new window to find out what the expected number of job openings for a career field is and how much a job pays.

Trends in Employment

A good place to start exploring careers and workforce trends is CareerOneStopExternal link opens in a new window.

Additionally, the State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics gives 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:

Wages

Wages are not the only thing to consider when looking for a job. However, 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 External link opens in a new window 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 External link opens in a new window website.

Youth Employment Information

Youth Rules websiteExternal link opens in a new window has work related information specifically for youth, including:


Work related questions asked by youth include:

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  • Get Local Information

    Change zip code to view other local promos on this and other pages.

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  • Statewide Interest
    Free Online Digital Literacy Courses
    Microsoft Digital Literacy courses are designed to teach you basic computer skills that can be used in everyday life and on the job. Click here to review or print a Microsoft Digital Literacy Online Basic Computer Concept Courses information sheet (PDF). 

    The free online courses and the Digital Literacy Curriculum External link opens in a new window are available in English and 31 other languages.

    Click here to learn more about this an other options to improve your basic computer     skills.

  • Job Corps: education and training programs for young adults.
    Job Corps Logo Welcome to Job Corps Chicago Region, dedicated to helping youth aged 16 yrs - 24 yrs find success through education and career technical training. Whether you are a student, parent, or employer we invite you to explore this site to learn more about how the Job Corps program can benefit you. The federally funded program serves the entire United States, including the 18 centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, known as the Chicago Region. Click here to learn what can Job Corps Do for You? External link opens in a new window

  • Serve Illinois
    Serve Illinois The Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has developed the Serve Illinois website so you can easily find information about:
    • AmeriCorps,
    • Senior Corps,
    • Learn and Serve Program,
    • volunteer programs
    • resources for volunteers of all ages,
    • how to sign up for training opportunities
    • service day events in your area.

    Finding a place to serve by selecting an area of interest or by using a ZIP Code search. Click here. External link opens in a new windowYou can also call (800) 592-9896 (voice) or (888) 261-2713 (tty).


  • Spell Check Your Work Online
    SpellChecker.net SpellChecker.net External link opens in a new windowallows you to paste in your work and then run a spell check or type your work directly into the spell checker for potential corrections as you write. This tool is useful for creating resumes, proofing emails or blogs, and any other work which may be presented to a potential employer.

  • Senior Corps
    National Senior Service Corps Senior Corps is a volunteer program for adults over age 55. The program assists seniors in finding volunteer opportunities through the Foster Grandparent Program, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Senior Companion Program. By volunteering with Senior Corps, senior adults across the country are making a difference in their community every day. Click here External link opens in a new window to learn more about service opportunities through Senior Corps.

  • Youth Service Providers

    Workforce Investment Act programs are offered to youth between the ages of 14-21. Youth services providers offer programs to assist young people in reaching individual academic goals (high school diploma recovery or GED) and developing basic job skills as they make the transition from being older youth to young adults. All WIA services for youth are offered at no cost to the participant.

    All Local Workforce Area’s have at least one provider of services to this group of people. The statewide WIA Youth Services Providers List gives the provider’s name, contact info, city in which the provider is located, and a brief listing of the services provided. Click here to see the list of Youth Service Providers External link opens in a new window


  • Could this be YOUR LIFE?
    Could this be Your Life logo

    Ever wonder how those everyday life choices could affect your career, family life, and choosing a place to live?

    If so, then check out this online interactive game brought to you by the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, and take the journey through Could this be YOUR LIFE.  This interactive game will teach you about the consequences of making career and life choices.

    To access this interactive game, visit the Could this be YOUR LIFE External link opens in a new windowweb site.


  • Looking for Free Online Courses to Improve your Computer Skills?
    GCF logo

    If you answered Yes to the above question, then take a look at the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning website.  Sponsored by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACT), Global Learning offers free online tutorials covering the basics of computers, the Internet, Microsoft Office and life skills.  GCF Global Learning also offers free online classes covering Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

    For more information and to access this free online site, visit the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning External link opens in a new windowweb site.


  • Looking for Wage Information in the State of Illinois?
    IDES Wage Information Logo

    The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides information on entry level, median, and experienced hourly and annual wages for occupations in the State of Illinois.

    Wage information is available for Illinois, Metropolitan Areas, Economic Development Areas, counties and Local Workforce Areas.  To access this information, visit the IDES Wage Information External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


  • Visit Career Coach
    Career Coach a free online personalized career counselor for women and men.  Find the right career and make a step-by-step plan to reach your goals.  Visit the Career Coach web site to learn more External link opens in a new window.
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Illinois workNet Centers are an equal opportunity employer/program. At Illinois workNet Centers, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 785-6055 or 711.