Chicago Automation Jobs Overview
Never mind the robots. Automation isn’t only about them. In fact, many factories and companies are foreseeing automated systems as a means to ultimately invigorate workers—for example, by improving their safety, as well as their productivity and quality of output. Of course, engineers, technicians, and managers are needed to implement, maintain, and fix those processes. This is the realm of automation jobs, which also applies to IT infrastructures, where engineers work on automated solutions for various software applications.
As a near-sci-fi future becomes closer to our reality, technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence will continue to upgrade, which will make automation all the more feasible. This is inevitable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), manufacturing will keep moving toward automation, but that still means jobs for the proper engineers and technicians. Plus, the BLS predicts stable prospects for both mechanical engineers and electrical/electronics engineers (sub-fields that can readily segue into automation positions) over the next decade.
And if you want to be on the IT side, the job outlook is especially noteworthy for computer scientists, with the BLS projecting a 15% employment growth rate (much faster than the average for all other occupations), which translates to roughly 3,000 openings each year, through 2029. Overall, automation jobs span multiple markets—from the automotive industry and food-processing plants to high-tech firms and cybersecurity companies.
You can expand your search for engineering jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Chicago, Illinois
If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.
However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.
Update Your Chicago Automation Resume
Automation jobs can provide you with a secure future, as digital transformations bring forth changes in several industries. Whether your background is in engineering or software/computer science (or if you have pertinent technical training), your resume should reflect your awareness of these evolutions and your willingness to adapt to market dynamics. The trick is to be prescient—think about what may come a few years from now. Review Monster’s sample resume for mechanical engineers for inspiration.
And don’t forget cover letters in your applications, which offer you an opportunity to spotlight your motivation for working in the automation field. Get your writing-flow going with this sample for a mechanical engineer cover letter.
How Much Do Automation Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in automation jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median automation technician pay in Chicago is $52,768 per year, which is 3% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Chicago Automation Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in automation? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those automation jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.