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Chicago's Shifting Job Landscape: Logistics Boom, Manufacturing Woes, and Pension Pressures
Chicago's job market shows mixed signals as of December 2025. The city experienced overall employment growth of 0.5 percent, though high-income industry growth declined by 1.2 percent, indicating a shift toward lower-wage employment. This contrasts sharply with stronger national trends, particularly in the Carolinas and Boise, Idaho, which have dominated job growth metrics.
The national unemployment rate reached 4.4 percent in September 2025, marking the highest level in nearly four years. The economy added 117,000 jobs in September, below the decade-long monthly average of 146,000. Worker pay continues to outpace inflation, with average weekly earnings rising 3.8 percent year-over-year. Manufacturing data presents concerns, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI falling to 48.2 in November, indicating contraction for the ninth consecutive month.
Chicago's logistics and supply chain sector represents a significant employment hub, with companies like eShipper, AMZ Prep, and QuickBox Fulfillment operating major facilities. The city's outskirts in Will County have become nationally dominant in intermodal logistics, driven by numerous interstates and railroad infrastructure.
Public sector employment faces challenges, particularly among Chicago teachers. Nearly 30,000 teachers lack pension eligibility due to vesting requirements, while Chicago Public Schools offers average salaries of 84,796 dollars annually, above the Illinois median of approximately 70,000 dollars. The Department of Government Efficiency initiative reduced public sector employment by more than 290,000 jobs nationwide in October 2025.
Municipal budget pressures continue affecting the local economy, with Chicago facing a deficit near 1.2 billion dollars and ongoing disputes over revenue solutions. Mortgage rates drifted downward to 6.246 percent for 30-year fixed loans as of December 1, 2025, potentially supporting housing market activity.
Current job openings include a Pharmacy Supervisor position at the Long Beach VA Health Care System, logistics coordinator roles at major Chicago supply chain firms, and accounting positions at Cohen and Company, which recently expanded its downtown Chicago office by nearly double to accommodate growth.
Chicago's employment landscape reflects broader economic uncertainty, with logistics and professional services offering relative stability while traditional manufacturing sectors face headwinds.
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Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago