Online Masters In Supply Chain Management in Illinois: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Illinois employs about 11,030 transportation, storage, and distribution managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through ASCM and the employers you are targeting. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare master’s in supply chain management programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Illinois
There is no license for supply chain work. The recognized credentials come from ASCM, principally CPIM for production and inventory management and CSCP for the end-to-end supply chain. Federal transportation regulation applies to carriers and operations rather than to the planner personally.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with ASCM and the employers you are targeting that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Earn in Illinois
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers in Illinois earn a median $120,250 per year, above the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Master’s in Supply Chain Management Pay and Employment in Illinois at a Glance
| Metric | Illinois | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $120,250 | $107,230 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $68,310 | $65,120 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $91,940 | $82,440 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $156,020 | $146,770 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $207,570 | $194,900 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 11,030 | 221,180 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.27 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 6.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Illinois Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Illinois median of $120,250 sits above the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.27 puts Illinois well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Illinois
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $160,460 | 110 |
| Chicago | $124,120 | 8,570 |
| Peoria | $120,250 | 320 |
| Rockford | $109,710 | 210 |
| Kankakee | $107,910 | 40 |
| Champaign | $101,400 | 110 |
| Springfield | $100,940 | 80 |
| Bloomington | $100,390 | 80 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Supply chain employment concentrates around ports, distribution hubs, manufacturing and military logistics installations rather than following population.
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), transportation, storage, and distribution managers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 8,570 | $124,120 | $133,210 | $73,540 | $210,910 |
| St. Louis | 2,090 | $110,070 | $119,610 | $62,500 | $181,260 |
| Peoria | 320 | $120,250 | $138,280 | $70,590 | $219,310 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 280 | $102,000 | $117,370 | $61,880 | $172,830 |
| Rockford | 210 | $109,710 | $120,150 | $73,100 | $184,570 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 110 | $101,400 | $106,020 | $64,280 | $144,940 |
| Decatur | 110 | $160,460 | $152,410 | $75,070 | $213,810 |
| Bloomington | 80 | $100,390 | $121,510 | $61,090 | $242,720 |
| Springfield | 80 | $100,940 | $111,160 | $58,170 | $178,680 |
| Paducah | 60 | $109,890 | $118,750 | $56,170 | $181,440 |
| Cape Girardeau | 50 | $96,320 | $106,820 | $55,890 | $171,060 |
| Kankakee | 40 | $107,910 | $117,070 | $59,710 | $197,150 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Illinois Metro Areas With Published Data
Champaign * Chicago * Decatur * Peoria * Rockford
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do transportation, storage, and distribution managers make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for transportation, storage, and distribution managers in Illinois is $120,250, above the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $91,940 at the 25th percentile to $156,020 at the 75th.
How many transportation, storage, and distribution managers work in Illinois?
Illinois holds about 11,030 supply chain manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 221,180, and BLS projects about 18,500 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a supply chain manager in Illinois?
There is no license for supply chain work. The recognized credentials come from ASCM, principally CPIM for production and inventory management and CSCP for the end-to-end supply chain. Federal transportation regulation applies to carriers and operations rather than to the planner personally. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with ASCM and the employers you are targeting before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a master's in supply chain management online while working in Illinois?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies ASCM and the employers you are targeting.
What is the highest-paying area of Illinois for transportation, storage, and distribution managers?
Among Illinois metro areas with published data, Decatur reports the highest median at $160,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Illinois a good state for transportation, storage, and distribution managers?
On pay, the state median of $120,250 sits above the national $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.27 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Master’s in Supply Chain Management programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Freight Broker (Career Guide) career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (SOC 11-3071), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.