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Chicago's Steady Job Recovery Amid Economic Uncertainty - A Look at the Mid-2025 Labor Market
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 health care and private education sectors were especially strong, contributing significantly to new positions, while manufacturing, retail trade, and financial services reported slight contractions.
Recent developments reflect heightened competition for labor, with employers investing in inclusivity and workforce development as seen at citywide job fairs and sector-specific events, like the 2025 ASI Chicago showcasing growth in promotional products and tech innovation. Notable employers currently hiring include Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Police Department, American Hospital Association, and the American College of Surgeons. The city is also pursuing government initiatives centered on workforce redevelopment and tech partnerships, such as collaborations with Apple to enhance digital skills and coding education for Chicago residents.
Median weekly earnings in the wider U.S. have reached $1,196 in the second quarter of 2025, with evidence of earnings growth just ahead of inflation, and Chicago’s wage trends closely mirror the national average. Seasonal patterns remain evident, with leisure and hospitality seeing summer upticks, while educational jobs rise in late summer and early fall. Commuting data indicate over 60 percent of employed Chicagoans work outside their home neighborhood, and nearly half commute out of the city proper, reflecting Chicago's interconnected metro labor market.
Key findings are the gradual decline in unemployment, job growth led by healthcare and education, ongoing sectoral changes, and the city government’s active support of workforce expansion despite persistent challenges in retail, finance, and some services. Major current job openings include positions at the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Police Department, and the American Hospital Association. Certain data, such as hyper-local wage trends and granular sector-level hiring rates, remain less current or publicly available.
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Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago