City Town Info

Decatur Employment

Employment and Industries in the Decatur, Illinois Area

Decatur, also known as the "Soybean capital of the world" includes prominent agricultural processing and manufacturing sectors. The service based industries have been expanding and have become a more significant factor for the local economy. In addition, Decatur is home to the corporate headquarters of ADM.

The major sectors for employment in Decatur are healthcare, machinery, education, food; metal and metal products; plastic and rubber products; and finance and insurance. Engineers, technicians, scientists, managerial and professional people comprise a sizeable portion of the workforce. The city also includes a large number of workers who have skills and experience in manufacturing and production industries.

Some of the occupations more prevalent in Decatur than most other cities include engineers; education, training and library workers; industrial engineers, engineering managers, teachers, logisticians, computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic; and human resources, training and labor relations specialists.

The largest employers in Decatur are shown below:

  • Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
  • Mueller Group LLC
  • ADM/Growmark River Systems Inc
  • DMH Health Systems
  • Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas Inc
  • Decatur School System
  • New K's Merchandise LLC
  • Illinois Power Company
  • American River Transportation Co, Inc
  • Decatur Memorial Foundation
  • Decatur Memorial Hospital
  • City of Decatur
  • St Mary's Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis
  • Macon County
  • ADM Trucking Inc
  • Illinova Corporation
  • Morgan Distributing

Noteworthy information about Decatur: In 2009 the average salary in Decatur was $37,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was 75 which is low when compared to the country's average of 100. Regarding the adult population, about 17% hold a bachelor's degree or better.

Companies situated in Decatur have access to helpful business organizations including:

The Herald & Review offers current information regarding the business activities in Decatur.

Most Popular Jobs in Decatur, Illinois Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Engineers, all other1,46092,430$68,810 - 128,5706%82%
2Teachers and instructors, all other680 $ - 9%54%
3Managers, all other580 $ - 7%55%
4Industrial engineers47065,220$40,500 - 96,00020%74%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products43055,440$25,990 - 100,9408%51%
6Engineering managers400141,270$85,360 - 7%84%
7Accountants and auditors39061,230$35,910 - 96,69018%79%
8Elementary school teachers, except special education38044,390$24,770 - 69,57014%95%
9Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education33051,720$19,900 - 86,6406%96%
10Education, training, and library workers, all other30022,600$16,130 - 26,48011%79%
11Financial managers27076,050$42,940 - 106,40013%60%
12Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other24065,770$16,410 - 104,34017%56%
13Market research analysts19072,320$37,770 - 119,64020%82%
14Sales managers170104,560$50,890 - 10%69%
15Child, family, and school social workers17034,870$17,230 - 63,46019%77%
16Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education150 $ - 11%95%
17Chief executives150144,070$45,140 - 2%65%
18Computer and information systems managers110103,160$55,570 - 16%73%
19Social and human service assistants10023,040$16,380 - 38,01034%58%
20Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists100103,500$36,230 - 18%56%
21Education administrators, elementary and secondary school10086,900$45,090 - 138,8708%78%
22Lawyers100103,630$49,950 - 11%99%
23Pharmacists100111,910$81,960 - 138,10022%97%
24Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products9062,600$18,380 - 100,49012%51%
25Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists8053,830$27,240 - 72,89018%56%
26Educational, vocational, and school counselors8050,090$23,440 - 89,76013%73%
27Librarians7044,180$22,670 - 63,6304%85%
28Rehabilitation counselors7028,140$18,190 - 40,72023%73%
29Training and development specialists6040,650$21,360 - 76,87018%56%
30Graphic designers6026,280$17,210 - 38,70010%55%
31Sales and related workers, all other6032,560$21,590 - 64,59014%62%
32Legislators5021,830$15,600 - 56,9801%65%
33Self-enrichment education teachers5027,110$16,270 - 45,88023%54%
34Computer systems analysts5071,890$46,640 - 105,24029%68%
35Medical and health services managers5091,040$45,370 - 147,65016%57%
36Management analysts5081,010$44,830 - 135,94022%78%
37Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation4063,270$27,490 - 131,4405%58%
38Chemists4063,440$40,000 - 91,8609%93%
39Social workers, all other4046,790$16,720 - 63,19018%77%
40Civil engineers4071,780$53,910 - 105,19018%87%
41Mechanical engineers4057,740$40,150 - 77,2904%78%
42Floral designers3020,440$16,780 - 25,2000%55%
43Community and social service specialists, all other3034,920$15,600 - 65,45025%58%
44Dentists, general30124,730$68,020 - 9%100%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Assemblers and fabricators, all other1,81042,790$33,070 - 61,580-8%5%
2Retail salespersons1,54023,840$16,130 - 36,55012%25%
3Cashiers1,39018,260$15,900 - 22,870-2%10%
4Customer service representatives93024,490$16,930 - 37,36025%22%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food92017,390$15,960 - 19,56018%5%
6Office clerks, general91022,810$16,050 - 32,38013%19%
7Waiters and waitresses90018,890$15,940 - 26,91011%14%
8Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants71025,100$20,350 - 31,93018%7%
9Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer69041,190$28,620 - 59,80010%4%
10Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive69026,680$16,210 - 40,6801%18%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks65029,080$18,110 - 40,73013%16%
12Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners64022,730$16,160 - 38,41015%4%
13First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers630 6%29%
14Truck drivers, light or delivery services61026,240$17,780 - 38,3708%4%
15Executive secretaries and administrative assistants59040,700$25,270 - 58,69015%18%
16Stock clerks and order fillers59022,040$16,250 - 29,300-7%8%
17Construction laborers55046,510$27,420 - 76,14011%5%
18First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers53035,340$26,420 - 48,9904%25%
19Cooks, restaurant53020,890$16,730 - 25,20012%5%
20Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters46060,060$32,910 - 85,28011%4%
21Industrial truck and tractor operators45034,400$19,580 - 47,700-1%2%
22Carpenters43041,310$19,580 - 64,37010%6%
23General and operations managers400101,690$44,140 - 2%48%
24Tellers39021,990$17,570 - 27,51014%16%
25Receptionists and information clerks39021,050$16,190 - 28,28017%13%
26Food preparation workers38019,530$16,000 - 25,71015%7%
27Maids and housekeeping cleaners38018,520$16,080 - 21,96013%5%
28Maintenance and repair workers, general38036,080$21,850 - 54,61010%6%
29Cooks, fast food37017,780$16,130 - 19,7508%5%
30Automotive service technicians and mechanics35035,920$19,680 - 55,34014%4%
31Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33033,970$16,760 - 49,69014%7%
32First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32030,300$18,520 - 40,51011%14%
33First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers28066,560$36,800 - 99,990-4%15%
34Dishwashers27017,140$15,850 - 19,50010%3%
35Landscaping and groundskeeping workers27022,140$16,350 - 33,76018%6%
36Personal and home care aides24017,930$15,940 - 20,23051%10%
37Preschool teachers, except special education24021,800$17,010 - 29,41026%43%
38Teacher assistants21017,980$15,970 - 22,29010%18%
39Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20017,460$15,980 - 19,85012%6%
40Billing and posting clerks and machine operators18031,210$22,060 - 42,7804%15%
41Child care workers18020,700$16,150 - 27,35018%15%
42Cooks, institution and cafeteria17022,450$16,780 - 29,64011%5%
43Bartenders17023,420$16,370 - 32,05011%17%
44Postal service mail carriers170 1%11%
45Cement masons and concrete finishers160 11%2%
46Sales representatives, services, all other16042,700$17,660 - 93,56028%48%
47Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks16028,370$16,990 - 44,1404%6%
48Recreation workers16024,740$16,180 - 39,64013%47%
49Pharmacy technicians16027,750$19,870 - 39,02032%16%
50Cost estimators15068,760$40,440 - 106,91019%32%
51Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists15024,170$15,850 - 39,33012%6%
52Dental assistants14029,770$22,170 - 38,86029%9%
53Home health aides14020,060$16,570 - 24,87049%7%
54Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic14054,250$36,680 - 64,700-2%6%
55Security guards14026,750$16,130 - 44,26017%13%
56First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers14069,740$31,720 - 101,9909%10%
57Logisticians14045,940$28,210 - 65,02017%43%
58Administrative services managers14059,000$24,850 - 93,73012%40%
59First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers13054,240$36,130 - 77,5507%13%
60Laundry and dry-cleaning workers13022,230$17,260 - 26,10010%5%
61Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors13020,680$15,850 - 32,85027%47%
62Machinists13039,600$28,860 - 50,730-2%3%
63Insurance sales agents120 13%45%
64Medical assistants12028,360$20,120 - 39,75035%10%
65First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand12051,120$34,790 - 69,50013%17%
66Amusement and recreation attendants12019,460$16,020 - 26,16024%22%
67Office and administrative support workers, all other12032,280$15,860 - 58,840-8%32%
68Counter and rental clerks12025,260$17,150 - 35,82023%16%
69Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop12017,560$15,940 - 21,39010%8%
70Highway maintenance workers11039,920$16,140 - 59,3209%5%
71Medical secretaries11032,310$21,710 - 41,64017%18%
72Library assistants, clerical11023,630$16,890 - 34,5508%37%
73Helpers--production workers10023,710$16,280 - 32,8600%4%
74Nonfarm animal caretakers10018,450$15,850 - 21,96018%16%
75Bill and account collectors10033,860$23,320 - 47,83023%13%
76Bus drivers, school10026,580$21,160 - 37,9409%4%
77Kindergarten teachers, except special education9042,340$26,800 - 69,12016%43%
78Payroll and timekeeping clerks9032,990$23,070 - 42,4503%18%
79Roofers9042,110$32,750 - 60,02014%3%
80Medical records and health information technicians90 18%12%
81Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers9039,590$27,930 - 50,8405%2%
82First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers9053,800$34,430 - 82,1204%38%
83Food servers, nonrestaurant9021,750$16,370 - 29,46016%9%
84Police and sheriff's patrol officers8054,310$37,110 - 77,41011%33%
85Computer support specialists8046,640$21,530 - 82,37013%43%
86First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers8034,810$21,120 - 51,05013%11%
87Sheet metal workers8047,240$33,060 - 62,3407%4%
88Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance8036,130$16,360 - 50,7802%11%
89Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials8022,010$18,260 - 25,420-3%3%
90File clerks8019,780$15,960 - 25,100-40%20%
91Structural iron and steel workers8052,550$36,930 - 64,4506%4%
92Cleaners of vehicles and equipment8022,710$16,400 - 31,21014%3%
93Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop8017,480$15,970 - 20,10010%17%
94Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders8040,050$26,860 - 60,100-12%4%
95Transportation, storage, and distribution managers7084,180$53,930 - 149,3208%25%
96Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers7033,280$18,210 - 61,280-6%14%
97Structural metal fabricators and fitters7038,250$27,750 - 50,2000%0%
98First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators7056,940$33,330 - 91,95010%17%
99Loan officers7054,710$33,430 - 73,57012%49%
100Dental hygienists6058,610$48,750 - 69,10030%33%
You are visiting:
All StatesIllinoisDecatur > Work

Find a job near you



(job title, keywords)


(city, state, zip)

Additional Details

Decatur CollegesDecatur Colleges
Decatur colleges and trade schools.
Decatur Hotels & TravelDecatur Hotels & Travel
Decatur hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Decatur MortgageDecatur Mortgage
Decatur property, mortgage, and real estate.

Find a school near you

Jobs More Common Near Decatur Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Engineers, all other92,4301,46029.6
Assemblers and fabricators, all other42,7901,81023.8
Education, training, and library workers, all other22,60030013.5
Industrial engineers65,2204707.6
Engineering managers141,2704006.9
Managers, all other 5805
Teachers and instructors, all other 6804.6
Logisticians45,9401404.5
Highway maintenance workers39,9201104.1
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic54,2501403.8
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other65,7702403.5
Library assistants, clerical23,6301103.4
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters60,0604603.4
Cement masons and concrete finishers 1602.6
Nonfarm animal caretakers18,4501002.5
Market research analysts72,3201902.5
Industrial truck and tractor operators34,4004502.5
Cooks, fast food17,7803702.3
Tellers21,9903902.2
Truck drivers, light or delivery services26,2406102.2
Child, family, and school social workers34,8701702.1
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand51,1201202.1
Cost estimators68,7601502.1
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers22,2301302
Preschool teachers, except special education21,8002402
Recreation workers24,7401601.9
Cooks, restaurant20,8905301.9
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors20,6801301.8
Construction laborers46,5105501.8
Administrative services managers59,0001401.8
Automotive service technicians and mechanics35,9203501.8
Personal and home care aides17,9302401.7
Cooks, institution and cafeteria22,4501701.7
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants25,1007101.7
Chief executives144,0701501.7
Dishwashers17,1402701.7
Financial managers76,0502701.7
Amusement and recreation attendants19,4601201.7
Pharmacy technicians27,7501601.6
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school86,9001001.6
Postal service mail carriers 1701.6
Carpenters41,3104301.6
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33,9703301.6
Office and administrative support workers, all other32,2801201.6
Sales managers104,5601701.6
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,4602001.5
Dental assistants29,7701401.5
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists103,5001001.5
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers66,5602801.5
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers35,3405301.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Decatur, Illinois Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Assemblers and fabricators, all other42,7901.621,810
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic54,2501.56140
Construction laborers46,5101.5550
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters60,0601.3460
Engineering managers141,2701.29400
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers66,5601.26280
Market research analysts72,3201.23190
Cost estimators68,7601.23150
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other65,7701.21240
Bartenders23,4201.21170
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers69,7401.2140
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand51,1201.19120
Engineers, all other92,4301.151,460
Industrial truck and tractor operators34,4001.14450
Highway maintenance workers39,9201.14110
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers22,2301.12130
Medical secretaries32,3101.11110
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer41,1901.1690
Counter and rental clerks25,2601.08120
Child care workers20,7001.07180
Machinists39,6001.07130
Sales managers104,5601.06170
Security guards26,7501.06140
General and operations managers101,6901.05400
Carpenters41,3101.05430
Amusement and recreation attendants19,4601.05120
Maintenance and repair workers, general36,0801.05380
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants40,7001.05590
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants25,1001.05710
Office and administrative support workers, all other32,2801.04120
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31,2101.03180
Accountants and auditors61,2301.02390
Recreation workers24,7401.02160
Cooks, fast food17,7801.02370
Computer and information systems managers103,1601.02110
Food preparation workers19,5301.02380
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,7201.01330
Medical assistants28,3601.01120
Waiters and waitresses18,8901.01900
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,3901.01920
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,4601200
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,3001320
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,3701160
Dishwashers17,1401270
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners22,7300.99640
Automotive service technicians and mechanics35,9200.99350
Pharmacy technicians27,7500.99160
Library assistants, clerical23,6300.99110
Cashiers18,2600.991,390
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop17,5600.98120

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.

Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career References and Original Articles

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.

Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.

Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.

Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.

Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.

Colleges by Major City. Browse cities with multiple college options.

Online Colleges. Colleges with online degree programs.

Graduate Schools by State. Colleges offering graduate degree programs.

Graduate Schools by Major City. Find cities with multiple graduate school options.

HTML For Linking To This Page

Please share this employment resource

Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click to verify BBB accreditation and to see a BBB report.    TRUSTe online privacy certification