Chicago Job Market Report

Chicago’s job market in late 2025 shows continued resilience despite subdued growth when compared to national benchmarks. NewHomeSource, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlights Chicago’s job growth at approximately 0.5% for the year ending April 2025, which is positive but slower than several Sun Belt and Carolinas metros that are leading the country in employment expansion. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the state overall added just 5,900 jobs from August 2024 to August 2025, reflecting a notably modest 0.1% growth rate, which suggests a relatively sluggish employment landscape compared to peer cities. While Chicago’s high-income job growth registered at -1.2%, indicating some contra...

Chicago's job market in September 2025 is characterized by resilience and dynamic sectoral shifts despite recent payroll contractions. The Illinois Department of Employment Security has reported that Chicago's area unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in August 2025, marking the lowest level since July 2023, even as total nonfarm payrolls decreased by 13,300 over the month. While overall job growth for the past year shows modest gains, with a net increase of 5,900 jobs, sector-specific trends are shaping the employment landscape. Private education and health services led year-over-year growth with 18,600 new jobs, followed by notable gains in information services and financial activities. Conversely, professional and business...

Chicago’s job market in September 2025 remains in a noticeable state of transition following significant national and local employment data revisions earlier this year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised national figures, eliminating nearly a million “phantom jobs” from counts between March 2024 and March 2025, with the past month’s hiring in the U.S. at its lowest for August since 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and analysis by Monitor Daily. Chicago, as the economic center of Illinois, reflects those national corrections with corresponding slowdowns in job creation and a rising number of individuals experiencing long-term unemployment.

Illinois...

Chicago’s job market in September 2025 displays both resilience and notable challenges, shaped by shifting sector demand, sluggish overall growth, and significant disparities between demographic groups and neighborhoods. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois’ unemployment rate continues to run above the national average, with over 300,000 state residents seeking work. In July 2025, the number of unemployed people almost exactly matched the number of job openings, with 7.2 million unemployed and 7.2 million positions open nationwide, suggesting a balanced but highly competitive environment for applicants. The Chicago area is driving much of the state’s ongoing demand for employment, particularly among lower-income househ...

Chicago’s job market in late 2025 reflects both resilience and new signs of weakness after several years of post-pandemic gains. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago show the regional labor market has slowed sharply in recent months, tracking national trends. In August, the unemployment rate in Chicago matched the national uptick, rising to 4.3 percent, the highest since late 2021. Job growth has also stalled, with the economy adding just 22,000 positions nationwide in August—far below projections, as reported by The Washington Post and Labor Department data. This softening comes after a period of slow...

The job market in Chicago, as of September 2025, reflects broader national trends of decelerating employment growth and persistent uncertainty. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and recent reports from CBS News and NPR Illinois, U.S. employers added only 22,000 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate ticking up to 4.3 percent, the highest since 2021. Illinois, along with other states, is experiencing a notable increase in unemployment claims, with Labor Department data showing a 3.5 percent week-over-week rise in late August. This marks the first time since April 2021 that job seekers outnumber available positions on the national level, directly impacting job prospects...

Chicago’s job market in September 2025 faces significant transformation spurred largely by technology and evolving industry demands. According to the World Economic Forum and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the region’s unemployment rate reflects broader national patterns, remaining somewhat steady around 4.2 percent as of July 2025, but young professionals in tech-exposed roles have seen jobless rates spike by nearly 3 percentage points this year. Entry-level hiring has plummeted by over 70 percent in major industries, and nearly 38 percent of the workforce reports growing anxiety over AI and automation threatening personal income and job stability. This trend is particularly acute among Gen Z, w...

Chicago's job market in August 2025 is showing mixed signals of resilience and ongoing softness, shaped by national and local trends. According to recent Chicago PMI data, business activity rebounded in July but fell again in August, remaining well below the crucial 50 threshold for the twentieth straight month, signaling prolonged contraction in key regional sectors. The Chicago Fed National Activity Index has registered four consecutive months below historical trend, further reflecting weakness particularly in production and employment. Initial unemployment claims for the Midwest echo national patterns of stagnation or slight rise, suggesting downside risks. Calculated Risk notes that both supply of...

The Chicago job market in late August 2025 is showing signs of modest growth alongside persistent uncertainty according to recent trends and data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Chicago Fed. The regional unemployment rate for the Chicago Metropolitan Division stands at 5.1 percent, down nearly a full percentage point compared to last year, which reflects some improvement but remains higher than the national rate of 4.2 percent, as reported by the Chicago Fed. Employment gains have recently slowed, and hiring in 2025 has not matched the stronger pace seen during the post-pandemic rebound of previous years. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome...

Chicago’s job market in 2025 is marked by continued resilience and steady gains following a period of economic uncertainty. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security, unemployment in the Chicago metro area has declined for two consecutive months, reflecting a broader state trend. Illinois as a whole saw its unemployment rate fall to 4.8% in July 2025 compared to 5.7% in July 2024, while the national rate stood at 4.1% as of June 2025. Nonfarm jobs in Illinois rose by approximately 16,500 over the year, reaching about 6,185,000 in July. Chicago, as the economic engine of the state, contributed substantially to...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 reflects both growth and competitive pressures. Chicagoland’s economy, which Forbes highlights as an $886 billion engine, showed modest yet positive movement in July 2025, with economic output up 0.3 percent and employment rising 1.2 percent. Despite these gains, there was a slight uptick in unemployment. The overall unemployment rate for the Chicago area is 4.2 percent according to the Federal Reserve, with state figures placing Illinois marginally higher at 4.6 percent. These rates are still considered low by historical standards and indicate a market with ongoing opportunities. Hiring, however, has slowed compared to last year, with average job gains drop...

Chicago’s job market in August 2025 reflects steady growth, evolving industry dynamics, and historic low unemployment rates, though some national economic pressures are starting to appear. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Chicago has experienced twelve consecutive months of nonfarm job growth, with the metro division adding approximately 28,400 jobs over the year ending June 2025. Major industries fueling the city’s employment include private education and health services, transportation and warehousing, government, construction, finance, insurance, and technology. Health services and education have generated jobs in nearly every area, while sectors like gove...

Chicago’s job market in August 2025 is challenging but dynamic, shaped by both broader national slowdowns and emerging local innovation. The city’s workforce encompasses about 4.8 million people, but recent months have seen a downturn in job creation. According to The Street, July 2025 recorded a net loss of 185,000 jobs nationwide, with a local unemployment rate rising to 4.2 percent. This figure hides sharper struggles: underemployment stands at 7.9 percent and Black workers in the city face much higher unemployment rates, at 7.2 percent. While these numbers remain below historical post-recession highs, they signal rising caution among employers, especially toward new graduates and less-experienced job...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 is marked by both resilience and evolving uncertainty as national economic headwinds begin to slow the pace of hiring. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate edged up to 4.2% in July, and hiring is down sharply compared to recent years, reflecting a broader national slowdown tied to international trade and economic uncertainty. Within this context, Chicago stands out as a top performer in some professional sectors. CRE Daily reports that Chicago led all major U.S. metros with a 60.4% year-over-year increase in office demand during the second quarter of...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 is characterized by steady recovery and measured growth, showing resilience amid broader economic uncertainty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security report Chicago’s unemployment rate has dropped to about 5.0 percent as of June 2025, down from 6.2 percent a year ago, and the area has experienced twelve consecutive months of year-over-year nonfarm job gains, adding over 28,000 jobs in that period. Major industries remain diverse, anchored by trade, transportation and utilities, private education and health services, government, and professional and business services, although the latter two saw recent declines. The...

The Chicago job market in July 2025 is marked by steady growth and resilience, with the city’s unemployment rate falling to 5 percent in June, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and outlets like Rewind 92.5. This recovery reflects a year-over-year decline from 6.2 percent, highlighting the area’s ongoing rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago’s labor force participation has stabilized, and job growth continues in several sectors, most notably private education, health services, government, construction, and transportation, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Healthcare and technology, in particular, are seeing robust expansion—recent investments include a $50 mi...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 shows moderate growth and resilience amid continued shifts in the economy. The metropolitan area, which includes Naperville and Elgin, has seen employment numbers reach approximately 4,565,500 as of May 2025, with GDP growth at 1.4 percent last year as noted by LaraLyy, REALTOR®. Overall job growth remains stable at 0.4 percent over the past year, reflecting both expansion in some sectors and stagnation in traditional office jobs. The unemployment rate in the broader Illinois context stands near 4.1 percent according to recent US data, though certain communities such as Arlington Heights are experiencing even lower rates, at 3.13 percent. Reliable cit...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 shows ongoing recovery and moderate strength, although it lags behind some mid-sized metros that are currently attracting growth and new talent. ADP recently highlighted that second-tier cities such as Raleigh, Birmingham, and Milwaukee now offer more favorable job prospects and affordability compared to places like Chicago, signaling that while Chicago remains a magnet for opportunities, competition and cost pressure are pushing both talent and employers to explore alternatives. The Illinois unemployment rate has dropped to 4.6 percent as of June 2025, improving by 0.2 percentage points since May according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though it re...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 reflects both resilience and transition, shaped by strong employment numbers, structural shifts, and targeted government strategies. According to the Staffing Industry Analysts and PCBB, the overall unemployment rate in the city hovers near 4.1%, with national averages for people without disabilities around 3.8%, but for people with disabilities, it rises to 7.5%. These figures suggest a competitive market with important gaps in inclusion and accessibility. Nonfarm payrolls have grown steadily with June alone adding 147,000 jobs nationally and average hourly wages up 3.7% year-over-year, according to PCBB. Major industries continue to include healthcare, finance, logistics, education, retail, manufacturing, e-commerce, an...

Chicago’s job market in 2025 displays stability and gradual growth, with the city maintaining a strong employment landscape and positive momentum in several sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Chicago region saw a monthly average nonfarm payroll employment gain of 177,000 in April 2025, closely matching growth seen over the past year, with particular strength in health care, transportation and warehousing, financial activities, and social assistance. The insured unemployment rate in Illinois was recently measured at 1.65 percent by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis as of late June 2025, suggesting joblessness in the region is relatively low compared to na...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 faces mixed signals. The city’s unemployment rate stands at 9.0 percent, according to BreakingAC, which is notably higher than the national average and suggests ongoing challenges for job seekers. Major industries remain diverse and robust, with healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and finance continuing to anchor the local economy. Baird’s Global Industrial Conference, held in Chicago in July 2025, highlights the presence of key sectors such as advanced industrial equipment, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and aerospace, underscoring the city’s historical strength in industrial and transportation hubs. Large employers include health systems, universities, financial institutions, and manufacturing giants...

Chicago’s job market in 2025 remains one of the nation’s most dynamic, fueled by a highly diversified economy and its position as a critical Midwestern hub. According to Rivermate, Chicago’s labor market draws strength from sectors such as consulting, law, healthcare, data science, finance, and logistics, making it attractive to both established employers and fast-growing startups. The city’s strategic central location and robust transportation infrastructure continue to underpin business activity and connect talent with employers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent in June 2025, with Bloomberg noting a monthly net job addition...

Chicago’s job market in mid-2025 is defined by its resilience and diversification despite elevated inflation and ongoing policy changes. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the city’s annual inflation rate reached 3.3 percent for the twelve months ending in May 2025—nearly a full percentage point above the nation’s average. Housing and transportation, especially shelter and vehicle expenses, have driven this rise, making affordability a pressing concern for both workers and employers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that unemployment in the Chicago metro area remains close to 4.1 percent, slightly higher than the national average but largely stable s...

The job market in Chicago in 2025 is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. Nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, rose by 0.5% year-over-year, reaching 6,172,300 jobs in March 2025. This growth was driven by increases in the government sector, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. However, these gains were offset by significant job losses in professional and business services and manufacturing.

In terms of statistics, Illinois had 286,000 job openings in February 2025, up from 277,000 in January. The employment landscape is marked by a bifurcated economy, with high-wage, specialized jobs coexisting alongside low-wage positions with limited...

The job market in Chicago is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. As of early 2025, nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, has seen a 0.5% year-over-year increase, with total jobs in March reaching 6,172,300. This growth is driven by sectors such as government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality, although these gains are offset by significant job losses in professional and business services and manufacturing.

Employment statistics show that while there are 286,000 job openings in Illinois as of February 2025, up from 277,000 in January, certain sectors are experiencing decline. The professional and business services...

The job market in Chicago is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. As of early 2025, nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, has seen a 0.5% year-over-year increase, with total jobs in March reaching 6,172,300. This growth is largely driven by sectors such as government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality.

However, significant job losses have been observed in professional and business services, down by 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing, down by 5,800 jobs. These losses raise concerns about the long-term stability of the labor market, particularly affecting urban working-class Black and Latino populations.

The...

The job market in Chicago in 2025 is characterized by modest growth and several underlying concerns. Nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, rose by 0.5% year-over-year, with total jobs in March reaching 6,172,300, an increase of 34,200 jobs from March 2024. However, this growth is not uniform across all sectors. The government sector, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality saw significant employment gains, while professional and business services and manufacturing experienced notable job losses, with 15,000 and 5,800 jobs lost, respectively.

In terms of statistics, Illinois had 286,000 job openings in February 2025, up from 277,000 in January. The tech job market...

The job market in Chicago in 2025 is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. Despite an overall increase in nonfarm employment, concerns about long-term economic stability persist. Nonfarm employment rose by 0.5% year-over-year, with total jobs in March reaching 6,172,300, an increase of 34,200 jobs from March 2024.

The employment landscape is marked by sector-specific gains and losses. The government sector, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality saw significant employment gains. However, these were offset by losses in professional and business services, down 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing, down 5,800 jobs. These losses, particularly in manufacturing, disproportionately affect urban working-class Black and...

The job market in Chicago is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. As of early 2025, nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, has seen a 0.5% year-over-year increase, with total jobs in March reaching 6,172,300. This growth is largely driven by sectors such as government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality.

However, there are significant concerns due to job losses in professional and business services (down 15,000 jobs) and manufacturing (down 5,800 jobs). These losses are particularly troubling as they affect high-paying roles and disproportionately impact urban working-class communities.

The unemployment rate in Illinois...

The job market in Chicago in 2025 is characterized by modest growth and mixed trends. Nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, rose by 0.5% year-over-year, with total jobs in March 2025 reaching 6,172,300, an increase of 34,200 jobs from March 2024. However, this growth is not uniform across all sectors; significant gains were seen in government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality, while there were notable losses in professional and business services and manufacturing.

The unemployment rate in the region has improved, dropping to 5.9% in February 2025 from 6.9% in February 2024. Despite this, concerns remain about the long-term economic stability...

The job market in Chicago has shown modest growth in early 2025, despite some underlying concerns. Nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division increased by 0.3% over the year, adding 10,000 jobs by March 2025. The total number of jobs in Illinois reached 6,172,300, with a year-over-year increase of 34,200 jobs.

The employment landscape is marked by sectoral variations. Government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality saw significant employment gains. However, these were offset by losses in professional and business services, down by 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing, which lost 5,800 jobs. These declines raise concerns about the long-term stability of the labor market...

The job market in Chicago presents a mixed picture, with both positive and concerning trends. Despite modest job growth, there are significant challenges and disparities.

In early 2025, Illinois saw a 0.5% year-over-year increase in nonfarm employment, with total jobs reaching 6,172,300. However, this growth was largely driven by the government sector, private education, health services, and leisure and hospitality, while professional and business services and manufacturing experienced significant job losses. The professional and business services sector lost 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing declined by 5,800 jobs, raising concerns about the long-term economic stability and the impact on urban working-class populations.

Chicago's...

The job market in Chicago has shown mixed signals in early 2025. Despite modest job growth, there are concerns about the long-term economic stability. Nonfarm employment in Illinois, which includes the Chicago area, rose by 0.5% year-over-year, with total jobs in March 2025 reaching 6,172,300, an increase of 34,200 jobs from March 2024.

The employment landscape is characterized by sectoral imbalances. Government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality saw significant employment gains. However, these gains were offset by losses in professional and business services, which dropped by 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing, which declined by 5,800 jobs. These trends raise concerns about the sustainability...

The job market in Chicago has shown mixed signals in early 2025. Despite some growth, there are concerns about long-term economic stability. Nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area increased by 0.5% year-over-year, reaching 6,172,300 jobs in March 2025, up 14,800 from February and 34,200 from March 2024.

The employment landscape is characterized by sectoral disparities. Gains were seen in government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. However, significant job losses occurred in professional and business services, with a drop of 15,000 jobs, and in manufacturing, with a decline of 5,800 jobs. These losses are particularly troubling as they affect high-paying roles and urban...

The job market in Chicago exhibits a mixed landscape with both positive and negative trends. As of November 2024, the total nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area stood at 4,817,600, which is slightly lower than the previous year but not statistically significant. Nationally, employment rose 1.4% over the same period.

In terms of job openings, Illinois had 286,000 job openings in February 2025, an increase from 277,000 in January. The Chicago metro area saw a modest job growth of 5,100 jobs in January, representing a 0.13% rate of growth, which is slower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in the Chicago metro...

The job market in Chicago exhibits a mixed landscape with both growth and challenges. As of November 2024, the total nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area stood at 4,817,600, which is not significantly different from the previous year. However, there was a modest job growth in early 2025, with nonfarm employment rising by 0.5% year-over-year to reach 6,172,300 jobs in March 2025.

Key statistics include 286,000 job openings in Illinois in February 2025, up from 277,000 in January. The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro division gained 24,600 jobs over the past 12 months, a 0.65% increase, which is slower than the national average of 1.28%.

Trends in the job market...

The job market in Chicago and the broader Illinois region has shown modest growth in early 2025, but it is marked by several concerns and challenges. Nonfarm employment in Illinois increased by 0.5% year-over-year, with total jobs in March 2025 reaching 6,172,300, up 34,200 from March 2024. However, this growth is not uniform across all sectors.

The employment landscape is characterized by significant gains in the government sector, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Despite these gains, there were notable losses in professional and business services, with a decline of 15,000 jobs, and in manufacturing, with a loss of 5,800 jobs. These losses...

The job market in the Chicago area, particularly within the Illinois context, exhibits a mix of modest growth and underlying concerns. As of November 2024, the total nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area stood at 4,817,600, which is slightly lower than the previous year but not statistically significant. Nationally, employment rose by 1.4% over the same period.

In early 2025, Illinois saw a 0.5% year-over-year increase in nonfarm employment, with total jobs reaching 6,172,300 in March. This growth was driven by sectors such as government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. However, significant job losses in professional and business services...

The job market in Chicago has shown mixed signals in early 2025. Despite some growth, there are underlying concerns about the long-term economic stability.

The employment landscape in Chicago is characterized by modest job growth, with nonfarm employment rising by 0.5% year-over-year, reaching 6,172,300 jobs in March 2025. This growth, however, is not uniform across all sectors. The government, private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality sectors have seen significant employment gains. In contrast, there have been notable losses in professional and business services, down by 15,000 jobs, and manufacturing, down by 5,800 jobs.

Statistics indicate that the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights...

The job market in Chicago has exhibited a mix of stability and challenges in recent months. As of November 2024, the total nonfarm employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metropolitan area stood at 4,817,600, which is slightly lower than the previous year but not statistically significant. Nationally, employment rose 1.4 percent over the same period.

The employment landscape in Chicago is characterized by sectoral shifts. The professional and business services supersector experienced a significant decline, losing 23,400 jobs, with a 2.8-percent decrease in the metropolitan area. In contrast, the other services supersector added 9,300 jobs, with a 4.7-percent increase.

Statistics show that...