NextChapter

Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest

Chicago has the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest: 684 jobs in our data.November 2026 edition. Updated monthly, from open jobs we verified on employer career sites.

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Key facts

  • #1 Chicago, IL: 684 jobs
  • #2 Columbus, OH: 187 jobs
  • #3 Cincinnati, OH: 153 jobs
  • 51 cities ranked in the Midwest
  • Data as of November 2026
  1. 1Chicago IL684 jobs
  2. 2Columbus OH187 jobs
  3. 3Cincinnati OH153 jobs
  4. 4Indianapolis IN148 jobs
  5. 5Minneapolis MN120 jobs
  6. 6Cleveland OH115 jobs
  7. 7Milwaukee WI90 jobs
  8. 8Kansas City MO81 jobs
  9. 9Omaha NE64 jobs
  10. 10Detroit MI63 jobs

What stands out

  • The lead is wide: Chicago (684 jobs) is well clear of Detroit at #10 (63 jobs).
  • Omaha reaches #9 on a sample of 400 jobs matched to an occupation, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.
  • Chicago is the largest market in the top ten, with 4,922 jobs matched to an occupation behind its figure.
  • Cities with fewer than 60 jobs matched to an occupation are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.

Why this ranking matters

What it shows

A four-year degree is not the only way into a professional job. Counting the openings in occupations that typically need less shows which cities have the most of them.

How to use it

If you do not have a four-year degree, the top cities show where the most such roles are. Big markets lead in the count, so read it with the share list.

The top 25

  1. 1

    Chicago IL

    684 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    684
    Share of the city's jobs
    14%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    4,922

    Hiring most here: Publicis Groupe, Confidential, Mars

    Based on 4,922 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Chicago

  2. 2

    Columbus OH

    187 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    187
    Share of the city's jobs
    15%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    1,265

    Hiring most here: State of Ohio, Nationwide, Ohio State University-Newark Campus

    Based on 1,265 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Columbus

  3. 3

    Cincinnati OH

    153 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    153
    Share of the city's jobs
    15%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    1,002

    Hiring most here: Medpace Holdings, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Procter & Gamble

    Based on 1,002 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Cincinnati

  4. 4

    Indianapolis IN

    148 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    148
    Share of the city's jobs
    15%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    997

    Hiring most here: Eli Lilly and Company, State of Indiana, Masco

    Based on 997 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Indianapolis

  5. 5

    Minneapolis MN

    120 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    120
    Share of the city's jobs
    14%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    887

    Hiring most here: Mortenson, Ameriprise Certificate, George Konik Associates

    Based on 887 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Minneapolis

  6. 6

    Cleveland OH

    115 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    115
    Share of the city's jobs
    17%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    663

    Hiring most here: Flexjet, Sherwin Williams, KeyBank

    Based on 663 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Cleveland

  7. 7

    Milwaukee WI

    90 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    90
    Share of the city's jobs
    14%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    644

    Hiring most here: Michels, Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls International

    Based on 644 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Milwaukee

  8. 8

    Kansas City MO

    81 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    81
    Share of the city's jobs
    13%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    640

    Hiring most here: JE Dunn Construction, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Commerce Bank

    Based on 640 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Kansas City

  9. 9

    Omaha NE

    64 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    64
    Share of the city's jobs
    16%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    400

    Hiring most here: Conagra Brands, Valmont, Zachry

    Based on 400 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Omaha

  10. 10

    Detroit MI

    63 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    63
    Share of the city's jobs
    13%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    489

    Hiring most here: Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, Accident Fund

    Based on 489 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Detroit

  11. 11

    Grand Rapids MI

    57 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    57
    Share of the city's jobs
    17%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    329

    Hiring most here: Corewell Health, Acrisure, BDO USA

    Based on 329 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Grand Rapids

  12. 12

    Madison WI

    56 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    56
    Share of the city's jobs
    15%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    367

    Hiring most here: Universities of Wisconsin [UW_Madison], Creative Financial Staffing, Catalent Pharma Solutions

    Based on 367 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Madison

  13. 13

    Dayton OH

    52 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    52
    Share of the city's jobs
    16%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    321

    Hiring most here: University of Dayton, Modern Technology Solutions, Odyssey Systems Consulting

    Based on 321 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Dayton

  14. 14

    Rolling Meadows IL

    50 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    50
    Share of the city's jobs
    26%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    193

    Hiring most here: Arthur J. Gallagher, Gallagher Bassett, Gallagher

    Based on 193 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Rolling Meadows

  15. 15

    Overland Park KS

    40 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    40
    Share of the city's jobs
    12%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    327

    Hiring most here: Black & Veatch, Steadily, QTS Data Centers

    Based on 327 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Overland Park

  16. 16

    St. Louis MO

    39 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    39
    Share of the city's jobs
    10%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    373

    Hiring most here: Stifel Charitable, BJC HealthCare, Kforce

    Based on 373 openings.

    Jobs and employers in St. Louis

  17. 17

    Akron OH

    33 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    33
    Share of the city's jobs
    16%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    206

    Hiring most here: FirstEnergy Akron, Babcock International Group PLC/ADR, Akron Childrens Hospital

    Based on 206 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Akron

  18. 18

    Wichita KS

    33 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    33
    Share of the city's jobs
    19%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    178

    Hiring most here: Spirit AeroSystems, Shield AI, Cargill

    Based on 178 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Wichita

  19. 19

    Fort Wayne IN

    32 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    32
    Share of the city's jobs
    15%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    208

    Hiring most here: BAE Systems, RTX, L3HARRIS Technologies

    Based on 208 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Fort Wayne

  20. 20

    St. Louis MO

    31 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    31
    Share of the city's jobs
    11%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    293

    Hiring most here: Stifel Charitable, BJC HealthCare, Kforce

    Based on 293 openings.

    Jobs and employers in St. Louis

  21. 21

    Sioux Falls SD

    31 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    31
    Share of the city's jobs
    20%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    153

    Hiring most here: Sioux Center Health, Marshfield Clinic, Trinzic

    Based on 153 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Sioux Falls

  22. 22

    Springfield MO

    31 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    31
    Share of the city's jobs
    22%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    142

    Hiring most here: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Coxhealth, Jack Henry & Associates

    Based on 142 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Springfield

  23. 23

    Southfield MI

    30 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    30
    Share of the city's jobs
    16%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    182

    Hiring most here: Lucid Motors, Sun Communities, Lear

    Based on 182 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Southfield

  24. 24

    Des Moines IA

    29 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    29
    Share of the city's jobs
    11%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    269

    Hiring most here: Principal Financial Group, OpenLoop, Olsson

    Based on 269 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Des Moines

  25. 25

    Mundelein IL

    29 jobs

    Jobs that do not need a four-year degree
    29
    Share of the city's jobs
    16%
    Jobs matched to an occupation
    184

    Hiring most here: Coda Search│Staffing

    Based on 184 openings.

    Jobs and employers in Mundelein

Full ranking

All 51 cities that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.

RankCityScoreSample
1Chicago IL684 jobs4,922
2Columbus OH187 jobs1,265
3Cincinnati OH153 jobs1,002
4Indianapolis IN148 jobs997
5Minneapolis MN120 jobs887
6Cleveland OH115 jobs663
7Milwaukee WI90 jobs644
8Kansas City MO81 jobs640
9Omaha NE64 jobs400
10Detroit MI63 jobs489
11Grand Rapids MI57 jobs329
12Madison WI56 jobs367
13Dayton OH52 jobs321
14Rolling Meadows IL50 jobs193
15Overland Park KS40 jobs327
16St. Louis MO39 jobs373
17Akron OH33 jobs206
18Wichita KS33 jobs178
19Fort Wayne IN32 jobs208
20St. Louis MO31 jobs293
21Sioux Falls SD31 jobs153
22Springfield MO31 jobs142
23Southfield MI30 jobs182
24Des Moines IA29 jobs269
25Mundelein IL29 jobs184
26Toledo OH28 jobs128
27Springfield IL27 jobs187
28Appleton WI27 jobs123
29Naperville IL26 jobs154
30Schaumburg IL25 jobs161
31Eden Prairie MN24 jobs218
32Troy MI24 jobs176
33Lenexa KS23 jobs162
34Jeffersonville IN23 jobs92
35Ann Arbor MI22 jobs269
36Peoria IL22 jobs112
37Green Bay WI22 jobs99
38Lincoln NE21 jobs160
39Cedar Rapids IA20 jobs278
40Fargo ND20 jobs107
41Mason OH20 jobs105
42Columbia MO20 jobs104
43Downers Grove IL20 jobs104
44Lansing MI19 jobs159
45St. Paul MN19 jobs144
46Rochester MN18 jobs138
47Rockford IL18 jobs107
48Oak Brook IL18 jobs93
49Evansville IN18 jobs87
50Kansas City KS17 jobs100
51Carmel IN16 jobs108

How this ranking works

A city's score is the number of its open professional roles whose occupation typically needs less than a bachelor's degree: an associate degree, a postsecondary certificate, some college, a high school diploma or no formal credential (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

A posting does not state a degree. Each is matched to its standard occupation, and the education shown is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as typical for entering that occupation. Some employers ask for more or less, and about one posting in a hundred has an occupation we could not match, which is left out. Only cities with at least 15 such jobs and 60 matched jobs are ranked, and a city where one employer posts at least half the openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score. Our board is professional roles, so these are a small share everywhere.

Sample bar: cities with fewer than 60 openings are not ranked.

Sources: NextChapter job data: open professional roles, matched to standard occupation (SOC) codes; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-35: typical entry-level education and projected employment change by occupation. Data as of November 2026.

Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.

Questions

Which city ranks first: cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the midwest?
Chicago has the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest: 684 jobs in our data.
How many cities are ranked?
51 cities have at least 60 jobs matched to an occupation, so the list has 51 entries.
How is the ranking calculated?
A city's score is the number of its open professional roles whose occupation typically needs less than a bachelor's degree: an associate degree, a postsecondary certificate, some college, a high school diploma or no formal credential (Bureau of Labor Statistics). A posting does not state a degree. Each is matched to its standard occupation, and the education shown is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as typical for entering that occupation. Some employers ask for more or less, and about one posting in a hundred has an occupation we could not match, which is left out. Only cities with at least 15 such jobs and 60 matched jobs are ranked, and a city where one employer posts at least half the openings is not ranked, so a single company cannot decide a city's score. Our board is professional roles, so these are a small share everywhere.
How often is it updated?
Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.

More rankings

Cite this ranking

NextChapter, “Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/cities-with-the-most-jobs-that-do-not-need-a-four-year-degree-in-the-midwest

Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/cities-with-the-most-jobs-that-do-not-need-a-four-year-degree-in-the-midwest">Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>

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