Job training programs in Chicago, Illinois
1,666 programs in 79 fields, with costs, results and funding that can make them free
215 schools offer these programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Compare the fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.
All job training programs in Illinois, including online programs
Compare job training in Chicago: cost, pay and results
A field with too few programs here for a page of its own opens the Illinois list, filtered to the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area.
| Training | Programs | Most cost | Earned a year, estimated | Working 6 months later | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT training | 144 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Administrative assistant training | 68 | $1,400 to $3,794 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| CNA classes | 62 | $911 to $1,125 | about $23,300 | 75% | Not enough data |
| CDL training | 62 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Medical assistant training | 62 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Web and graphic design courses | 56 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Welding classes | 53 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Industrial maintenance technician training | 52 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Auto mechanic classes | 50 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Cybersecurity training | 50 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Phlebotomy training | 49 | $1,668 to $3,430 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| HVAC training | 48 | Not enough data | about $39,900 | 79% | Not enough data |
| Accounting and bookkeeping classes | 46 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out |
| Project management certification | 42 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Supply chain and logistics training | 38 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Coding and software development courses | 35 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Business administration programs | 34 | Not enough data | about $34,300 | 61% | Not enough data |
| Medical billing and coding training | 33 | Not enough data | about $32,900 | 72% | Not enough data |
| CNC machinist training | 33 | Too few figures to show | |||
| EMT classes | 32 | $1,252 to $5,725 | about $42,500 | 81% | Not enough data |
| Early childhood education programs | 32 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Data analytics courses | 32 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Dental assistant programs | 29 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Manufacturing technician training | 29 | $2,383 to $3,495 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Pharmacy technician training | 26 | Too few figures to show | |||
| RN programs | 25 | Not enough data | about $56,900 | 85% | Not enough data |
| Paralegal programs | 23 | Left out | about $42,100 | 70% | Not reported |
| Medical administrative assistant training | 23 | Too few figures to show | |||
| EKG technician programs | 21 | $2,234 to $3,203 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| LPN programs | 20 | $6,730 to $7,367 | about $40,200 | 84% | 82% |
| Culinary school | 20 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Human resources training | 20 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Construction training programs | 20 | $2,712 to $5,048 | about $28,700 | 56% | Not enough data |
| Patient care technician training | 17 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out |
| Electrician training | 15 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Digital marketing courses | 15 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Electronics technician training | 14 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Medication aide training | 13 | $935 to $1,435 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Dialysis technician training | 13 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Carpentry classes | 12 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Radiology tech programs | 12 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Health information technology programs | 12 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Surgical tech programs | 11 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Addiction counselor training | 11 | Left out | about $38,000 | 80% | Not reported |
| Sonography school | 10 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Auto body repair classes | 10 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| AutoCAD and drafting courses | 9 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Diesel mechanic training | 8 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Human services programs | 8 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Criminal justice programs | 8 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out |
| Fire academy | 7 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Hospitality management programs | 7 | Too few figures to show | |||
| MRI tech school | 7 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Plumbing school | 6 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Massage therapy school | 6 | Too few figures to show | |||
| PTA programs | 6 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Respiratory therapy programs | 6 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Cosmetology school | 5 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Barber school | 5 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Dental hygiene programs | 4 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Sterile processing technician training | 4 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Medical lab technician programs | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Heavy equipment operator training | 3 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Nail tech schoolToo few programs for a page of its own | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Aircraft mechanic school | 3 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Esthetician schoolToo few programs for a page of its own | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Police academy | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Vet tech programs | 2 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| OTA programs | 2 | Left out | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not reported |
| Forklift certification | 2 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Healthcare administration programs | 2 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Customer service training | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Solar and wind technician training | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Masonry training | 2 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Community health worker training | 1 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Lineman school | 1 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Interpreter and translator trainingToo few programs for a page of its own | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Sheet metal training | 1 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Insurance license courses | 1 | Left out | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
Each figure is the middle program of that field in this area. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate.Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Chicago may offer more. How these figures are made
Where the Chicago job training numbers come from
Which Chicago programs are counted?
Programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area that the state they're in approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). Online programs are on the state pages. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).5 They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Chicago offers.
What the figures for each field mean
Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).
How reliable are the Illinois figures?
The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".6 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.
Sources for the funding facts about job training in Chicago
Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns