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Economic Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Analytics/Data Science, Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, Business Administration/Management, Computer Science/Information Systems, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics/Statistics - Demonstrating ...

2027 Analysts - US

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Strong interest in Economics/Finance, statistical programming and data analysis. * Excellent written and oral communication skills. Preferred Qualifications * Significant coursework in economics ...

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Economic Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$15

$64

$98

How much do economic developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for economic developer in Illinois is $64.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.71 and $83.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an economic developer?

Economic Developers are professionals who work to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in a community or region. They do this by attracting new businesses, supporting existing companies, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth. Their responsibilities often include planning and managing development projects, securing funding, and collaborating with government agencies, businesses, and community groups. Economic Developers play a vital role in shaping the economic future of the areas they serve.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Developer, you need a solid background in economics, business administration, or urban planning, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in public or private sector development. Familiarity with data analysis tools, geographic information systems (GIS), and economic modeling software, as well as certifications like CEcD (Certified Economic Developer), are typically valuable. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for crafting effective development strategies, securing investments, and fostering sustainable economic growth within communities.

What are some common challenges economic developers face when working with local businesses and government agencies?

Economic Developers often work at the intersection of public and private interests, which can present challenges such as aligning the goals of local businesses with municipal regulations or community needs. Navigating complex approval processes, securing funding, and balancing economic growth with sustainable development are frequent hurdles. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as the role requires ongoing collaboration with government officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to create win-win solutions.

What is the difference between Economic Developer vs Urban Planner?

AspectEconomic DeveloperUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in economics, business, or related field; often certifications in economic developmentBachelor's or master's in urban planning, geography, or related field; planning certifications
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, economic development organizations, consulting firmsMunicipalities, government agencies, private planning firms
Employer & Industry UsageFocuses on attracting and retaining businesses, job creation, economic growthFocuses on land use, zoning, community development, and urban design

While both roles aim to improve communities, Economic Developers primarily focus on economic growth and business attraction, whereas Urban Planners concentrate on land use and community development. They often collaborate but serve different core functions within urban development projects.

How much do economic developers make?

Economic developers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior or specialized roles can pay over $100,000, especially in larger organizations or regions with a high cost of living. The role often requires strong communication, project management skills, and knowledge of economic development tools and policies.

What are popular job titles related to Economic Developer jobs in Illinois?

For Economic Developer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Economic Developer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Developer jobs in Illinois are:

Infographic showing various Economic Developer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,367 per year, or $64.6 per hour.

Economist (Senior Economist)

US Department of the Treasury

Bloomington, IL • On-site

$125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Treasury rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 856 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

WHAT IS THE LARGE BUSINESS & INTERNATIONAL DIVISION? A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
  • Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s):
    • LBI - ADCCI - ADCCI, Data Solutions, Data Management & Services (DMS)
REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS All GRADES: A degree in Economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.Evaluation of ExperienceExamples of qualifying experience include:

  1. Individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
  2. Supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
  3. Teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.
Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations:
  1. Economic statistics;
  2. Industrial surveys;
  3. Management of individual business enterprises, including farms;
  4. Industrial planning;
  5. Writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and
  6. Financial market analysis.
AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION GS-14: In addition to meeting basic requirements, to be eligible for this position at this grade level, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Experience applying economic and statistical methods to define, profile, and evaluate taxpayer market segments and to develop or revise research methodologies for assigned compliance-related projects.
  • Experience analyzing economic, statistical, tax-return, and program data to identify significant factors, evaluate the reasonableness and accuracy of information, resolve technical research issues, and document economic conclusions and recommendations.
  • Experience initiating, planning, implementing, monitoring, modifying, and completing economic research projects, including developing project scope, goals, schedules, workload estimates, research specifications, data requirements, and procedures.
  • Experience using the Internal Revenue Master File System, statistical software packages, computer programming tools, or other data-processing applications to extract, analyze, organize, and present research data through reports, tables, and graphical materials.
  • Experience reviewing economic, statistical, and tax-related source materials; evaluating research results and supporting documentation; and presenting written findings and technical recommendations to management, economists, statisticians, or other professional personnel.

AND
You must also meet the following requirement(s):

  • TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): Current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens".
  • TIME IN GRADE (TIG): For positions above the GS-05,applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-5, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03, or 04 positions.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER

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