BETTENDORF, IOWA (December 11, 2025) — Grow Quad Cities is proud to announce the release of its inaugural Top 100 High Priority Jobs Report, a strategic resource designed to inform community stakeholders about the most in-demand occupations offering a livable wage across our bi-state region.
The report identifies the top high-priority occupations in the Quad Cities area based on a mix of criteria, including wages, number of workers and concentration of jobs in the local market. These are not simply the highest-paying or most common jobs overall — they represent roles that combine strong demand with sustainable wages.
Key Findings:
- The top 100 occupations account for an average of 3,300 job openings annually.
- Within these, the report highlights forty occupations projected to add about 600 new jobs by 2028.
“There is a wealth of data in this report that employers, students, educators, and school counselors will find useful,” said Bill Polley Sr, Director of Business Intelligence for Grow Quad Cities.
“These are jobs where we see shortages of qualified candidates. The report is designed to encourage people to pursue careers in these areas.”
Grow Quad Cities has already shared the report with business, education, and community leaders — and now it’s available to all Quad Citizens.
“The Top 100 High Priority Jobs Report is a decision-making framework for our region,” said Chris Caves, VP of Business Retention, Expansion and Workforce for Grow Quad Cities.
“If you’re a young person or an adult looking to upskill, this report will guide you toward the highest-demand occupations and give you confidence that you’re investing in training that leads to real opportunities.”
This report was created because of the recommendations identified in the Thrive Quad Cities: An Education and Workforce Analysis Final Report, released by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 2023.
“This report essentially serves as the occupational gap analysis for our region,” said Caves. “It’s a blueprint to help fill talent pipelines in high-demand areas.”
About the Report
Data was sourced from Lightcast, a leading labor market analytics company, and covers a six-county area: Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties in Illinois, and Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott counties in Iowa.
Criteria considered to be included in the report:
- Require high-school diploma or greater
- At least six annual job openings on average in the six-county area
- Median wage greater than $22/hour
- At least ONE of the following:
- Entry level wage at least $20/hour
- Entry level wage at least $18.80, at least sixty jobs in the region and concentration index at least 0.88
Jobs categories include:
- Construction and Specialized Mechanical
- Education, Counseling, and Therapy
- Engineering and Related Occupations
- Information Technology and Communications
- Legal, Clerical, and Administrative
- Medical Science and Health Services
- Skilled and Semi-Skilled Labor, and Machine Operators
- Other
Download the full Top 100 High Priority Jobs Report here.
About Grow Quad Cities
Grow Quad Cities is a newly-established organization spun off from the Quad Cities Chamber’s economic development services. Its mission is to strengthen the regional economy, enhance competitiveness, and position the Quad Cities as a premier destination for business investment.
With a focus on business attraction, site readiness, talent solutions, and real-time data insights, Grow Quad Cities aims to broaden economic development efforts beyond industrial growth to include new industries, mixed-use development, and quality-of-life amenities.
