The Rockford Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) offers a strong workforce with competitive wages in key occupations. The State of Illinois updates these figures on a routine basis.
The document features salary data for entry, median and experienced career levels.
Occupational Salaries
Select annual mean salaries for the Rockford Region for the year 2020.
| Occupation | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician | $58,980 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $116,050 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $67,630 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,260 |
| Carpenters | $70,520 |
| Computer Network Architects | $88,100 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Tool Operators | $38,840 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Tool Programmers | $52,380 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $66,440 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $91,840 |
| Electricians | $82,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | $83,150 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $48,450 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $53,720 |
| Marketing Managers | $107,630 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $84,260 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $112,350 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | $63,210 |
| Millwrights | $75,220 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $77,330 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $87,490 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $118,100 |
| Physician Assistants | $117,180 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $60,400 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $50,370 |
Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics 2020
Salaries in the Rockford Region can be lower than other comparably sized cities; this is due to a lower cost of living for the area. Compare the Rockford Region’s cost of living to other cities throughout the US.
Cost of Living Comparison
2021 annual average costs include housing, food, utilities, transportation, miscelaneous good, and health care.
| Metro Area | Composite Index |
|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 95.4 |
| Tucson, AZ | 102.4 |
| Little Rock, AR | 95.6 |
| San Diego, CA | 146.3 |
| Denver, CO | 114.7 |
| Washington, DC | 154.4 |
| Quad Cities (Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL) | 89.8 |
| Bloomington, IL | 94.9 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 89.8 |
| Chicago, IL | 120 |
| Rockford, IL | 92.9 |
| Springfield, IL | 96.2 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 91.6 |
| Detroit, MI | 103.8 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 102.5 |
| St. Louis, MO | 87.7 |
| New York (Manhattan), NY | 172.6 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 105.8 |
| Raleigh, NC | 92.6 |
| Cleveland, OH | 92.4 |
| Portland, OR | 127.5 |
| Pittsburg, PA | 100.7 |
| Memphis, TN | 85.9 |
| Austin, TX | 101.3 |
| Seattle, WA | 149.4 |
| Madison, WI | 105.8 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 98.5 |
Source: C2ER
