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    The AI Economy

    AI Economy Jobs in Illinois

    What AI-economy careers pay in Illinois - from data scientists to the trades building data centers. Official BLS wage data, updated with the latest release.

    +33.5%
    Data scientist growth by 2034
    3x
    Tech job growth vs. overall economy
    +62%
    Wage premium for AI skills (PwC)

    AI Core Careers

    Occupations that build, secure, and manage AI systems. BLS projects computer and mathematical occupations to grow 10.1% through 2034 — more than three times the overall economy.

    Data Scientists

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-2051

    The fourth fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. economy, driven by demand to build and tune AI models.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $117,870
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +33.5%

    Information Security Analysts

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1212

    AI systems and the data they train on are prime attack targets, fueling demand for security expertise.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $127,000
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +28.5%

    Actuaries

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-2011

    AI-driven risk modeling expands what actuaries can price, from cyber risk to climate exposure.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $129,580
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +21.8%

    Operations Research Analysts

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-2031

    Businesses adopting AI need analysts who can turn model output into operational decisions.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $104,580
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +21.5%

    Computer and Information Research Scientists

    Master's degree
    SOC 15-1221

    The researchers inventing the next generation of AI algorithms and architectures.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $142,950
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +19.7%

    Software Developers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1252

    The largest projected job gain of any AI-related occupation: over 267,000 new positions by 2034.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $136,540
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +15.8%

    Computer and Information Systems Managers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 11-3021

    Every AI deployment needs leaders who can manage the systems, budgets, and teams behind it.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $179,190
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +15.2%

    Computer Network Architects

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1241

    AI workloads are reshaping enterprise networks, from GPU clusters to low-latency data pipelines.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $138,530
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +11.9%

    Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1253

    AI quality assurance is one of the emerging roles highlighted by the Department of Labor.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $107,950
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +10%

    Management Analysts

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 13-1111

    Consultants who guide companies through AI adoption are in demand across every industry.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $114,410
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +8.8%

    Computer Systems Analysts

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1211

    Integrating AI applications into existing business systems is core systems-analysis work.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $104,190
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +8.7%

    Database Architects

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 15-1243

    AI models are only as good as the data infrastructure feeding them.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $144,790
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +8.7%

    AI Infrastructure Careers

    The trades and engineering roles building the data centers, power generation, and chip plants behind AI. Many pay $60k-$90k+ without a four-year degree, and the Department of Labor is expanding Registered Apprenticeships for them.

    Wind Turbine Service Technicians

    Postsecondary nondegree award
    SOC 49-9081

    The fastest-growing occupation in America: data centers are driving unprecedented demand for new power generation.

    Median Wage
    $62,580
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +49.9%

    Solar Photovoltaic Installers

    High school diploma or equivalent
    SOC 47-2231

    AI data centers need massive new electricity supply, and solar is among the fastest capacity to deploy.

    Median Wage
    $51,860
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +42.1%

    Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    High school diploma or equivalent
    SOC 49-9041

    Advanced manufacturing for chips and servers depends on mechanics who keep automated lines running.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $76,250
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +16.1%

    Electricians

    High school diploma + apprenticeship
    SOC 47-2111

    Every data center, chip fab, and grid upgrade in the AI buildout starts with electricians.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $92,230
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +9.5%

    Construction Managers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 11-9021

    Managing the wave of data center and semiconductor plant construction across the country.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $117,010
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +8.7%

    Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

    Postsecondary nondegree award
    SOC 49-9021

    Cooling is the biggest operational challenge in AI data centers, and HVAC techs keep them running.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $77,570
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +8.1%

    Computer Hardware Engineers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 17-2061

    Designing the AI chips and server hardware behind the domestic semiconductor push.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $138,940
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +7.3%

    Electrical Engineers

    Bachelor's degree
    SOC 17-2071

    Grid modernization and data center power systems are engineering bottlenecks for AI growth.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $114,640
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +7.2%

    Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    High school diploma or equivalent
    SOC 49-9051

    A $90k+ no-degree job at the center of the grid expansion AI demands.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $107,820
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +6.6%

    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    High school diploma + apprenticeship
    SOC 47-2152

    Liquid cooling systems in modern AI data centers are built and maintained by pipefitters.

    Median Wage (IL)
    $93,400
    Projected Growth 2024-34
    +4.5%

    What the Government Is Doing

    Preparing workers for the AI economy is now official federal policy. Three initiatives shape where the jobs — and the training money — are going:

    • The White House AI Action Plan directs federal agencies to identify high-priority occupations essential to AI infrastructure and expand training pipelines for them, from general education to Registered Apprenticeships. ai.gov/action-plan
    • The Department of Labor’s AI Registered Apprenticeship initiative (launched 2026) funds AI skills training inside apprenticeship programs, focused on data centers, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing — the exact trades in our AI infrastructure list above. dol.gov
    • BLS Employment Projections (2024-34) explicitly name demand for AI-based systems as a primary driver of job growth in computer and mathematical occupations — the official data behind every number on this page.

    Compare with the national picture

    See national salaries and growth projections for every AI-economy career.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the AI economy?

    The AI economy refers to the jobs, industries, and infrastructure growing around artificial intelligence. It spans two groups: careers that build and deploy AI systems (data scientists, software developers, security analysts) and careers that build the physical infrastructure behind AI (electricians, HVAC technicians, and power-line workers constructing data centers and grid capacity). The federal government has made both a workforce priority through the White House AI Action Plan and the Department of Labor’s AI Registered Apprenticeship initiative.

    What are the highest-paying AI economy jobs?

    Based on BLS data, computer and information systems managers earn a median of about $171,000, computer hardware engineers about $155,000, and computer and information research scientists about $141,000. Among roles not requiring an advanced degree, software developers earn a median of about $133,000 and information security analysts about $125,000.

    Can I work in the AI economy without a college degree?

    Yes. The AI infrastructure buildout depends heavily on skilled trades that require an apprenticeship or certificate instead of a degree. Electrical power-line installers earn a median of about $92,500, electricians about $62,000, and wind turbine technicians — the fastest-growing occupation in America at nearly 50% projected growth — about $62,500. The Department of Labor is actively expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs in these fields.

    How fast are AI jobs growing?

    BLS projects computer and mathematical occupations to grow 10.1% from 2024 to 2034, more than triple the 3.1% growth projected for the overall economy. Data scientists are projected to grow 33.5% — the fourth-fastest of any occupation — and software developers are projected to add over 267,000 jobs, the largest numeric gain among AI-related roles.

    Do AI skills increase your salary?

    Yes, substantially. PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer, based on over a billion job postings, found workers with AI skills command a wage premium of roughly 62% over peers in the same role without them — up from 25% in 2024. The premium applies across industries, not just tech.

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    Will AI take your job?

    This page shows where AI creates jobs. The other side matters too: check your occupation’s automation-risk score and timeline.

    Keep Exploring

    The AI Wage Premium: Do AI Skills Pay More? →High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree →In-Demand Careers & Shortages →AI Career Planning Resources →Wage Trends Explorer →

    Get AI-Ready

    Workers with AI skills earn a documented wage premium. Training is the raise lever.

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    Data Sources

    • BLS OEWS wage data (live)
    • BLS Employment Projections 2024-34
    • White House AI Action Plan
    • PwC AI Jobs Barometer (2026)
    View all data sources →

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