What is the average salary in Lake Forest, IL?
In Lake Forest, IL, job seekers can find a range of salary opportunities. The average yearly salary here is $73,130. This means many jobs offer a good income. The local economy supports various industries, providing different pay scales based on the job type and experience level.
People working in Lake Forest have salaries that vary widely. Here are some of the salary ranges:
- 33.80% earn about $32,000
- 15.04% earn around $46,455
- 10.48% earn about $60,909
- 9.06% earn around $75,364
- 8.03% earn about $89,818
- 5.64% earn around $104,273
- 2.98% earn about $118,727
- 3.88% earn around $133,182
- 3.00% earn about $147,636
- 1.66% earn around $162,091
- 1.42% earn about $176,545
What are the best paying jobs in Lake Forest, IL?

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Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $90,747
Caring for patients in healthcare facilities, working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals. Companies like Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital hire for these roles. Job security and growth opportunities are strong.
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Medical Assistant
Average Salary: $44,573
Supporting healthcare providers in clinics and hospitals. Tasks include taking vital signs and handling paperwork. Local clinics and hospitals offer many openings for trained assistants.
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Certified Nursing Assistant
Average Salary: $42,738
Helping patients with daily activities in care facilities. This role is crucial for patient comfort and care. Nursing homes and hospitals in the area need qualified CNAs.
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Cook
Average Salary: $38,163
Preparing meals in restaurants and catering services. Attention to detail and following recipes precisely is key. Cooks are needed in local restaurants and cafeterias.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $36,867
Cleaning and maintaining spaces in hotels, schools, and office buildings. This role ensures a clean and welcoming environment. Housekeeping staff are vital in hotels and large institutions.
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Forklift Operator
Average Salary: $36,339
Operating forklifts to move materials in warehouses. Safety and precision are important. Warehouses and logistics companies need skilled operators.
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Dishwasher
Average Salary: $34,369
Washing dishes and utensils in restaurants. This role helps keep the kitchen running smoothly. Dishwashers are essential in the food service industry.
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Barista
Average Salary: $33,739
Preparing coffee and other beverages in coffee shops. Attention to customer service and speed are important. Coffee shops across the area need friendly baristas.
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What are the best paying jobs in Lake Forest, IL without a degree?

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Lawn Care Technician
Average Salary: $43,000
Maintaining landscapes and gardens with mowing and trimming. This job involves working with local companies and homeowners. Essential tools and safety practices are taught.
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Server
Average Salary: $42,108
Serving food and drinks to customers in a restaurant setting. The role entails taking orders and ensuring a positive dining experience. Many establishments focus on customer service excellence.
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $40,672
Preparing meals following recipes. This role demands fast and efficient work in a busy kitchen. Various cuisines and kitchen styles await those with culinary skills.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $36,867
Cleaning rooms and common areas. This position is ideal for those who like routine tasks and ensuring cleanliness. Many opportunities exist in local hotels and guest houses.
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Service Team Member
Average Salary: $34,568
Helping customers and handling transactions. This role involves interacting with clients to provide excellent service. Many opportunities exist in retail and food service sectors.
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Dishwasher
Average Salary: $34,369
Cleaning dishes and kitchen equipment. This task requires attention to detail and quick work. Dishwashers work in fast-paced kitchens and dining establishments.
Find Dishwasher jobs in Lake Forest, IL
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Barista
Average Salary: $33,739
Preparing coffee and other beverages. This role demands skill in beverage preparation and customer interaction. Many local cafes offer training and growth opportunities.
Find Barista jobs in Lake Forest, IL
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General Production Laborer
Average Salary: $31,375
Assisting in the production of goods. This position involves operating machinery and following safety protocols. Many local factories and production facilities offer entry-level roles.
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Server Assistant
Average Salary: $30,495
Supporting servers with tasks and maintaining dining areas. This role involves teamwork and attention to detail. Many restaurants provide opportunities for growth and advancement.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Lake Forest, IL?

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Abbott
Average Salary: $140,113
Abbott is a global healthcare leader. It makes medical devices, diagnostics, and nutrition products. The company offers a range of career paths in different areas. Abbott is known for its competitive salaries and benefits.
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Reynolds Consumer Products
Average Salary: $131,230
Reynolds Consumer Products makes household brands. Products include Reynolds Wrap, Hefty, and Glad. The company has many job opportunities in sales, marketing, and operations. They are known for paying well and offering good benefits.
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Packaging Corporation of America
Average Salary: $118,460
Packaging Corporation of America makes paper-based packaging. They supply to many industries. The company offers jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and sales. They value employee growth and offer competitive pay.
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Grainger
Average Salary: $114,502
Grainger sells industrial supplies and equipment. They serve businesses and organizations. Grainger offers many career paths in sales, logistics, and customer service. They are known for offering good pay and benefits.
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Impact Networking, LLC
Average Salary: $102,567
Impact Networking, LLC provides IT services to businesses. They help with network design, installation, and support. The company offers jobs in IT and technical support. They value their employees and offer competitive salaries.
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CELLA
Average Salary: $88,716
CELLA is an architecture and engineering firm. They design projects for many sectors, including healthcare and education. They offer jobs in design, engineering, and project management. CELLA values teamwork and offers good compensation.
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Northwestern Medicine
Average Salary: $78,246
Northwestern Medicine is a top healthcare provider. They offer many medical services and employ doctors, nurses, and support staff. Northwestern Medicine values its employees and offers competitive pay and benefits.
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Consumers Credit Union, Illinois
Average Salary: $69,765
Consumers Credit Union, Illinois offers banking services to its members. They provide loans, savings accounts, and other financial services. The company offers jobs in customer service, finance, and operations. They offer a good salary and benefits.
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Lake Forest College
Average Salary: $68,982
Lake Forest College is a small, private college. It offers undergraduate degrees in many subjects. The college employs faculty, staff, and administrators. They value education and offer good pay and benefits.
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Lake Forest School District
Average Salary: $65,255
Lake Forest School District runs public schools in the area. They employ teachers, administrators, and support staff. The district offers a range of educational opportunities. They value their employees and offer competitive salaries.
How does the cost of living in Lake Forest, IL compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Lake Forest, IL, is significantly higher than the nationwide average, especially when it comes to housing. Lake Forest's housing index stands at 150, which is 50% higher than the national average of 100. This means that housing expenses for residents are 50% more costly compared to the average American.
Other expenses in Lake Forest also tend to be above the national average. For instance, groceries have a cost of living index of 110, which is 10% higher than the average. Transportation costs, with an index of 120, are also 20% higher. Additionally, miscellaneous costs at 115 reflect an 15% increase. Even healthcare, with an index of 105, is 5% more expensive. These figures show that while Lake Forest offers a higher standard of living, it comes with a higher price tag in several key areas.



