Your Guide to the Hottest Jobs in Chicago

Your Guide to the Hottest Jobs in Chicagoah, the windy cityhome of deep dish pizza and perennially dashed baseball hopes (sorry, cubs fans). by any measure, chicago is a bustling hub in the heart of the country. and while its thriving cultural and sports scenes are vital to everyday chicagoans, chances are youll need a day job in case that improv career with second city doesnt pan out. if youre seeking a new job or a new career path, take a lookat somethe hottest jobs in chicago. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) the tech sectorsure, chicago is considerably colder than silicon valley, but if youre looking for a job in the tech sector, dont count out a midwestern move. over the past 6 years, the chicago-based tech world has grown even faster than silicon valleys. companies like google have offices there, and the city is also home to co-work spaces and business incubators that are steadily putting chicago on the tech map. business incubators are communities-within-the-community that help support talent and entrepreneurs as they develop new products and businesses. and this kind of collaborative community is one of the reasons that chicago is becoming a magnet for young tech innovators and entrepreneurs.hot job software developerin an increasingly tech-friendly city, software developers are at the very heart of it all, working on software programs and apps. with a bachelors degree and the programming skills, software developers command a median salary of $100,000. and the demand keeps growing the u.s. bureau of labor statistics predicts 17% overall growth by 2024.the tafelgeschirr sectorover the past few years, chicago has seen an unprecedented number of visitors to the city. that means soaring demand for people to fill jobs in hotels/hospitality, restaurants, bars, and other service industries. and its not just chicagothe united states bureau of labor statistics predicts 6% growth for hospitality-related industries by 2024.hot job mixologistin chicago as anywhere else, there are plenty of places where you can drop in for a cold beer, no fuss. these days, there are also a lot of places where you can drop in for the plenty-of-fuss version an artisanal cocktail, crafted with homemade bitters, herbs grown in a community garden, and an instagram-ready look. bartenders and mixologists are taking on the position of chefs these days, and with the fancier cocktails commanding prices in the $10-$15 range, this is not your grandpas suds-slinger. the average mixologist in chicago earns $22,000 before tipsand the field is expected to grow by a healthy 10% nationally by 2024, per the bureau of labor statistics.the healthcare sectoras a nation, our health isa growing challenge. as such, healthcare-related industries are booming just about everywhere, especially as the population ages. chicago is no exception, and its even being touted as one of the next big hubs for health technology. chicago is a city with wor ld-class medical facilities (90 hospitals, six medical schools, and numerous fictional tv hospitals), as well as headquarters of major medical organizations like the american medical association, the american hospital association, the american alzheimers association, and the american heart association. (not to mention the walgreens pharmacy mothership just outside the city.)hot job home health aidei mentioned chicagos many exciting tv hospitals before, but the reality is that some of the most important healthcare jobs are considerably less flashy. home health and personal care aides fill important roles in this industry, providing daily care to seniors, the disabled, and other home-bound patients. what the job lacks in glamour and riches (the median salary is $22,920 per year, or $10.54 per hour), it makes up in stability and accessibility. you can become a home health aide without a formal degree (and with some on-the-job training). and the bureau of labor statistics predicts that the field will grow by an astonishing 38% over the next decade. if youre trying to decide whether the healthcare career path is right for you, this job could be a good way to dip your toe in and find out.the manufacturing/production sectorspeaking of less-glamorous jobs, chicago is a leader in manufacturing. and in fact, manufacturing is chicagos second-biggest business sector, tied heavily to its strong trade and export industries. and this has a long and storied history with its get-your-hands-dirty jobs as far back as 1914, poet carl sandburg referred to the city as hog butcher for the world / tool maker, stacker of wheat, / player with railroads and the nations freight handler.basically, you name it, chicago has probably processed and handled it. these days, manufacturing isnt the nationwide industry it once was, but in chicago there are some areas of the industry that continue to thrive, like food processing and production. companies like kraft, heinz, wrigley (of ballpark and chewing gum fame), sara lee, keebler, and quaker oats have maintained major operations in chicago, alongside a growing industry of small-batch food companies that are rising in popularity on the foodie tide.hot job truck driverall of these foods and products need to make it from point a to point b, and thats where a fleet of dependable drivers come in. whether local, regional, or long-haul, trucking can be a great career option for someone with a spotless driving record, an ability to find zen in the open road, and the knack for solving problems on the fly and get somewhere on schedule. with a specialized commercial driving license (cdl) and some on-the-job training, drivers make a median salary of $40,260 per year, or $19.36 per hour. according to the bureau of labor statistics, the need for drivers will continue to grow through the next decade.whatever you want your career path to be in chicago, windy city newbie to seasoned chicagoan, you have so many options, in fields that will continue to grow and thrive. happy hunting, and go bulls