City Town Info

Rockford Employment

Employment and Industries in the Rockford, Illinois Area

Manufacturing, including environmental controls, machine tools and hardware are important factors for the economy. The area also has a large number of chemical manufacturing firms which provide numerous jobs. The county includes first-tier suppliers in the aerospace industry. In addition, Rockford is also regarded as a prominent distribution center. An important objective of the city of Rockford is to bring more high-technology firms to the city.

The largest employers in Rockford are shown below:

  • Rockford School District 205
  • Rockford Health System
  • Hamilton Sunstrand Corp
  • Swedish American Health System
  • St. Anthony's Medical Center
  • United Parcel Service
  • County of Winnebago
  • Anderson Packaging
  • Woodward Governor
  • NCO

Some of the most popular jobs in Rockford where the majority of the workers are college graduates are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, sales and related workers, mechanical engineers, managers, medical and clinical laboratory technicians; and social and human service assistants.

The major sectors for employment in Rockford are:

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Metal and metal products
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Government
  • Finance and insurance
  • Manufacturing

Notable data about Rockford: Regarding the adult population, about 20% hold a bachelor's degree or better. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $39,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was 78 which is low when compared to the nation's average of 100.

Rockford companies have access to helpful business organizations such as:

The Rockford Register Star offers current information about the business endeavors in Rockford.

Most Popular Jobs in Rockford, 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
1Registered nurses3,21057,710$38,920 - 79,74024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education2,58062,990$32,950 - 101,03014%95%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education1,71065,740$35,790 - 103,9106%96%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,34052,290$26,030 - 90,1108%51%
5Accountants and auditors92059,610$37,800 - 92,49018%79%
6Sales and related workers, all other84028,900$15,960 - 50,08014%62%
7Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school56069,160$37,750 - 104,17020%87%
8Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education54048,910$30,220 - 72,88011%95%
9Mechanical engineers54075,030$47,330 - 103,8204%78%
10Managers, all other52079,740$42,250 - 124,7507%55%
11Teachers and instructors, all other45022,710$16,060 - 38,1909%54%
12Medical and clinical laboratory technicians43035,520$20,340 - 51,36015%51%
13Social and human service assistants38027,280$17,490 - 38,93034%58%
14Financial managers380101,280$39,030 - 13%60%
15Sales managers370102,340$46,350 - 10%69%
16Chief executives340142,050$56,120 - 2%65%
17Educational, vocational, and school counselors34050,560$23,010 - 98,30013%73%
18Education administrators, elementary and secondary school33091,820$61,160 - 127,4608%78%
19Industrial engineers32068,470$45,230 - 94,25020%74%
20Coaches and scouts32020,100$15,910 - 32,22015%60%
21Special education teachers, middle school31061,070$37,320 - 84,50016%87%
22Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other30041,010$16,020 - 71,99017%56%
23Social workers, all other30059,370$27,880 - 85,72018%77%
24Lawyers300167,420$60,590 - 11%99%
25Child, family, and school social workers28045,260$27,330 - 67,31019%77%
26Engineers, all other26066,500$37,350 - 103,5606%82%
27Market research analysts26052,250$24,950 - 83,73020%82%
28Computer programmers25058,990$26,260 - 96,7100%73%
29Pharmacists240111,290$92,990 - 132,21022%97%
30Electrical engineers24070,780$54,340 - 100,3206%81%
31Advertising sales agents22056,210$23,210 - 95,52020%56%
32Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products22070,040$35,750 - 118,93012%51%
33Medical and health services managers22079,740$45,390 - 126,52016%57%
34Mental health and substance abuse social workers20035,960$27,170 - 49,33030%77%
35Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents190 $ - 25%67%
36Speech-language pathologists19068,340$45,980 - 95,32011%98%
37Graphic designers18040,810$19,570 - 60,20010%55%
38Engineering managers17094,320$63,770 - 130,9707%84%
39Network and computer systems administrators17060,240$36,150 - 87,66027%50%
40Physician assistants170104,870$22,980 - 27%67%
41Physical therapists17079,330$59,270 - 100,56027%89%
42Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists160 $ - 18%56%
43Management analysts14087,500$42,740 - 128,79022%78%
44Computer and information systems managers14089,230$38,060 - 146,41016%73%
45Training and development specialists13047,770$28,480 - 66,58018%56%
46Insurance underwriters13064,620$23,260 - 124,8606%53%
47Legislators13024,870$15,970 - 37,9401%65%
48Detectives and criminal investigators13071,170$56,780 - 87,55017%54%
49Computer specialists, all other13047,950$17,190 - 79,98015%68%
50Floral designers12023,580$15,880 - 40,8200%55%
51Librarians12061,980$37,750 - 101,3404%85%
52Reporters and correspondents12037,680$25,260 - 58,1101%85%
53Special education teachers, secondary school12051,710$33,830 - 76,5809%87%
54Chemists12065,220$37,790 - 104,7909%93%
55Mental health counselors12037,150$15,960 - 61,69030%73%
56Self-enrichment education teachers12023,640$19,980 - 29,65023%54%
57Medical and public health social workers12054,320$32,230 - 94,05024%77%
58Marketing managers110102,180$48,250 - 14%69%
59Sales engineers11068,640$44,700 - 98,8509%79%
60Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists11071,060$42,900 - 105,63016%99%
61Financial analysts10069,510$30,190 - 122,06034%87%
62Purchasing managers10067,170$36,090 - 109,5103%57%
63Social and community service managers9043,950$24,430 - 63,10025%72%
64Occupational therapists9071,600$49,500 - 98,37023%90%
65Environmental scientists and specialists, including health9061,980$41,520 - 82,37025%93%
66Editors9051,630$30,040 - 82,6702%81%
67Education administrators, postsecondary9057,020$26,730 - 113,90014%78%
68Architects, except landscape and naval8066,110$29,750 - 84,69018%88%
69Computer systems analysts8069,050$38,750 - 100,57029%68%
70Civil engineers8080,760$55,530 - 104,62018%87%
71Financial specialists, all other8055,530$27,940 - 83,05012%50%
72Personal financial advisors8089,150$40,000 - 41%81%
73Counselors, all other7036,820$24,790 - 52,45017%73%
74Compensation and benefits managers7060,950$40,240 - 81,71012%58%
75Therapists, all other7046,980$29,720 - 67,38010%83%
76Network systems and data communications analysts7056,610$31,930 - 81,47053%57%
77Credit analysts7044,860$28,300 - 64,0702%60%
78Chiropractors6090,840$43,720 - 133,16014%98%
79Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation6039,330$16,030 - 64,9805%58%
80Instructional coordinators6052,130$24,700 - 81,50023%79%
81Health educators6053,500$25,470 - 78,70026%58%
82Veterinarians6091,360$55,600 - 119,64035%100%
83Electronics engineers, except computer6079,860$51,230 - 101,6304%81%
84Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists5044,890$16,420 - 70,44018%56%
85Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program5042,120$23,020 - 89,11024%78%
86Dietitians and nutritionists5043,590$33,510 - 60,7609%72%
87Athletes and sports competitors5033,710$26,680 - 38,49019%60%
88Public relations specialists5044,920$28,850 - 64,00018%81%
89Merchandise displayers and window trimmers5033,100$18,820 - 51,77011%55%
90Human resources managers, all other5090,970$48,050 - 151,89011%58%
91Computer software engineers, systems software4075,230$35,590 - 125,64028%85%
92Database administrators4059,750$33,380 - 104,43029%72%
93Clergy4049,770$36,500 - 63,96019%75%
94Recreational therapists3033,570$16,490 - 57,4104%77%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand5,07027,620$16,820 - 46,3702%5%
2Machinists4,81039,410$17,700 - 62,560-2%3%
3Retail salespersons4,36025,040$16,180 - 37,47012%25%
4Team assemblers3,71032,330$17,450 - 45,9400%5%
5Cashiers3,70019,480$15,890 - 24,960-2%10%
6Customer service representatives2,77030,090$18,240 - 44,34025%22%
7Waiters and waitresses2,70019,440$15,850 - 28,64011%14%
8Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,57017,550$15,980 - 19,93018%5%
9Office clerks, general2,52025,420$16,830 - 35,32013%19%
10Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners2,33023,060$16,320 - 33,56015%4%
11Stock clerks and order fillers2,26024,090$16,350 - 36,190-7%8%
12Packers and packagers, hand2,02019,800$15,940 - 28,140-11%3%
13Carpenters1,93047,120$29,420 - 76,56010%6%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,88041,840$24,150 - 60,74010%4%
15Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,76024,620$18,850 - 30,82018%7%
16Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,70028,810$20,220 - 39,7001%18%
17Helpers--production workers1,60031,550$18,150 - 40,8400%4%
18Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,54034,660$24,820 - 47,97013%16%
19Business operations specialists, all other1,49051,860$20,820 - 95,64021%49%
20First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers1,45059,230$33,720 - 84,090-4%15%
21First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,35045,840$22,410 - 63,3204%25%
22Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers1,34035,840$18,030 - 59,760-6%14%
23Maintenance and repair workers, general1,30036,860$20,400 - 52,95010%6%
24Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,26039,880$25,960 - 59,80015%18%
25General and operations managers1,26096,750$47,600 - 2%48%
26Industrial truck and tractor operators1,19028,680$20,570 - 38,780-1%2%
27First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,16043,890$23,220 - 68,5706%29%
28Receptionists and information clerks1,15024,860$17,200 - 35,11017%13%
29Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,11027,880$16,030 - 43,5808%4%
30Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks1,08030,900$18,590 - 46,5204%6%
31Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic1,07029,550$17,800 - 51,280-14%0%
32Production workers, all other1,06034,200$17,980 - 42,0202%5%
33Food preparation workers99017,960$15,600 - 21,42015%7%
34Landscaping and groundskeeping workers96023,340$17,550 - 30,69018%6%
35First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers92030,150$21,540 - 41,70011%14%
36Teacher assistants91020,370$16,380 - 25,92010%18%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics90038,380$21,500 - 60,68014%4%
38Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses89040,680$25,250 - 51,93014%7%
39Cooks, restaurant87020,230$16,010 - 27,07012%5%
40Child care workers77019,490$16,560 - 23,87018%15%
41Cooks, fast food72016,650$15,600 - 19,1608%5%
42Assemblers and fabricators, all other70033,970$22,030 - 49,020-8%5%
43Tellers69021,530$17,160 - 26,93014%16%
44Electricians68052,480$26,020 - 81,2307%7%
45Physicians and surgeons, all other680174,440$87,540 - 0%0%
46Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic67035,570$22,990 - 49,970-2%6%
47Security guards66026,640$18,200 - 33,25017%13%
48Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic64031,830$20,990 - 45,960-22%0%
49Personal and home care aides62018,250$15,920 - 22,36051%10%
50Maids and housekeeping cleaners60019,100$16,040 - 24,06013%5%
51Driver/sales workers59026,700$16,390 - 41,370-4%4%
52Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers59036,980$27,520 - 48,5505%2%
53Bartenders58020,240$15,920 - 29,82011%17%
54Billing and posting clerks and machine operators58031,860$22,600 - 41,2204%15%
55Police and sheriff's patrol officers56057,540$36,160 - 81,08011%33%
56Laundry and dry-cleaning workers55018,840$16,020 - 23,34010%5%
57Construction laborers54050,330$28,700 - 78,28011%5%
58Home health aides53020,440$16,590 - 25,22049%7%
59Tool and die makers51047,220$25,120 - 74,810-9%5%
60Counter and rental clerks50023,980$17,360 - 30,86023%16%
61Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters49065,560$40,100 - 86,25011%4%
62Dishwashers47016,850$15,600 - 19,31010%3%
63Legal secretaries46034,380$23,220 - 41,76012%18%
64Fire fighters45049,980$17,420 - 75,81012%18%
65Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders44026,620$16,900 - 46,510-4%5%
66Bill and account collectors44029,310$20,300 - 39,78023%13%
67Postal service mail carriers440 1%11%
68Medical secretaries43031,670$22,880 - 39,51017%18%
69First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers42059,550$36,360 - 84,6307%13%
70Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers42017,390$15,840 - 21,10012%6%
71Production, planning, and expediting clerks41041,360$23,720 - 66,3504%30%
72Recreation workers41020,070$15,930 - 26,95013%47%
73Sales representatives, services, all other40054,880$24,290 - 110,82028%48%
74Office and administrative support workers, all other39028,140$16,010 - 44,580-8%32%
75Pharmacy technicians39026,580$19,460 - 35,11032%16%
76Loan officers38048,280$20,930 - 97,50012%49%
77Sheet metal workers35052,640$18,870 - 81,6007%4%
78First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers35081,830$47,110 - 108,8309%10%
79Industrial machinery mechanics35046,670$30,980 - 65,3909%5%
80Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic35025,640$16,050 - 37,710-6%0%
81Dental assistants34032,240$24,620 - 41,34029%9%
82First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand34043,060$27,750 - 68,02013%17%
83Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists33039,110$22,680 - 53,56012%3%
84Cost estimators32057,670$36,300 - 85,22019%32%
85Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products31050,550$32,670 - 73,9000%42%
86Preschool teachers, except special education30021,550$15,930 - 33,92026%43%
87Cleaners of vehicles and equipment30021,550$16,320 - 31,05014%3%
88Cooks, institution and cafeteria29023,010$16,110 - 31,24011%5%
89Cement masons and concrete finishers29052,460$31,780 - 76,50011%2%
90Painters, construction and maintenance29035,620$16,180 - 63,81012%6%
91Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators29066,570$41,330 - 85,4208%3%
92Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29036,560$21,760 - 57,390-15%0%
93First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers29070,070$37,190 - 104,0104%38%
94Food batchmakers28025,270$17,440 - 35,02011%5%
95Library technicians28025,080$16,830 - 33,3509%27%
96Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders28027,110$18,490 - 37,170-12%4%
97Library assistants, clerical28021,210$15,940 - 30,8108%37%
98Industrial production managers27079,920$47,170 - 107,460-5%43%
99Medical assistants26028,780$20,440 - 39,75035%10%
100Machine feeders and offbearers26022,380$16,700 - 36,080-14%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Rockford Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,83064013.2
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic37,49025012.9
Machinists39,4104,81011.5
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic34,2502208.6
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders36,0801008.4
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders 2506.7
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,1602306.3
Tool and die makers47,2205106.3
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic32,4801005.6
Sales and related workers, all other28,9008405.4
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic35,5706705.1
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,5501,0704.6
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic25,6403504.6
Social workers, all other59,3703004.5
Production workers, all other34,2001,0604.4
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic36,5602903.5
Maintenance workers, machinery43,8202303.4
Team assemblers32,3303,7103.4
Helpers--production workers31,5501,6003.4
Food batchmakers25,2702803.3
Special education teachers, middle school61,0703103.1
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders27,1102803.1
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders32,5202502.9
Reporters and correspondents37,6801202.9
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers35,8401,3402.8
Legislators24,8701302.7
Appraisers and assessors of real estate63,6801702.7
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians35,5204302.7
Assemblers and fabricators, all other33,9707002.6
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school69,1605602.5
Library technicians25,0802802.5
Packers and packagers, hand19,8002,0202.5
Library assistants, clerical21,2102802.5
Machine feeders and offbearers22,3802602.4
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18,8405502.4
Physicians and surgeons, all other174,4406802.3
Physician assistants104,8701702.3
Mechanical engineers75,0305402.2
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers59,2301,4502.2
Floral designers23,5801202.1
Physical therapist assistants45,4501302.1
Tile and marble setters65,8601002.1
New accounts clerks30,9101802.1
Sheet metal workers52,6403502.1
Health technologists and technicians, all other40,6801502.1
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand27,6205,0702
Carpenters47,1201,9302
Mechanical drafters45,2901502
Industrial truck and tractor operators28,6801,1901.8
Coaches and scouts20,1003201.8

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Roofers62,3701.77170
Lawyers167,4201.63300
Construction laborers50,3301.62540
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators66,5701.56290
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters65,5601.42490
Cement masons and concrete finishers52,4601.42290
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers81,8301.41350
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school69,1601.38560
Helpers--production workers31,5501.341,600
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education65,7401.291,710
Physician assistants104,8701.28170
Assemblers and fabricators, all other33,9701.28700
Elementary school teachers, except special education62,9901.262,580
Sheet metal workers52,6401.26350
Social workers, all other59,3701.25300
Appraisers and assessors of real estate63,6801.24170
Highway maintenance workers43,0201.22140
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters37,2101.21130
Carpenters47,1201.21,930
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic36,5601.2290
Advertising sales agents56,2101.2220
Special education teachers, middle school61,0701.2310
Management analysts87,5001.19140
Fire fighters49,9801.19450
Police and sheriff's patrol officers57,5401.19560
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers45,8401.181,350
Team assemblers32,3301.183,710
Medical and public health social workers54,3201.18120
Production workers, all other34,2001.181,060
Librarians61,9801.18120
Detectives and criminal investigators71,1701.18130
Bus drivers, transit and intercity35,5501.17140
Automotive body and related repairers45,9301.17170
Maintenance workers, machinery43,8201.16230
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers49,0101.16110
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand27,6201.145,070
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers39,3901.13180
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school91,8201.12330
Structural metal fabricators and fitters37,8901.12180
Electricians52,4801.12680
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers59,2301.121,450
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer41,8401.121,880
Child, family, and school social workers45,2601.11280
Insurance underwriters64,6201.11130
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers56,2201.1260
Construction managers92,1601.09130
Financial managers101,2801.09380
Medical secretaries31,6701.09430
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic37,4901.09250
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,9001.081,080

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