Chicago Market Snapshot
February 2023
Note: Most recent data available.
The Chicago metro area is among the nation’s 12 largest metropolitan statistical areas reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and in February 2023, all of these areas had gained jobs over the year. In February 2023, 93,000 jobs were added in the Chicago metro area, with notable gains in leisure and hospitality, manufacturing and construction. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for the Chicago area is 4.4%, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 3.9%.
Another notable stat: The average hourly wage for the Chicago metro area is $34.50, a slight increase of 0.6% year over year. That compares with $33.18 for the entire U.S.
jobs Added
+93,000
month over month
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
4.4%
down from 4.7% in January 2023
WAGE CHANGE
+0.6%
year over year
- Total nonfarm employment is up 2.0% YoY in the Chicago area. That compares to a 2.9% national increase.
- Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain (9.8%) among the metropolitan area’s private-industry supersectors year over year.
- The unemployment rate in the U.S. is 3.9%, compared to 4.4% in the Chicago area.
Chicago Jobs Breakdown
Q1 2023
LANDSCAPERS & GROUNDSKEEPERS
- Unique Job Postings: 574
- Jobs Change: ↑ 109.5% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $16.98
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $19.02
AMUSEMENT & RECREATION WORKERS
- Unique Job Postings: 471
- Jobs Change: ↑ 71.3% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $13.15
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $14.95
bartenders
- Unique Job Postings: 1,328
- Jobs Change: ↑ 12.3% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $12.53
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $19.02
dining room & cafeteria attendants
- Unique Job Postings: 961
- Jobs Change: ↑ 2.7% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $12.50
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $15.38
OFFICE CLERKS
- Unique Job Postings: 1,467
- Jobs Change: ↑ 2.4% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $18.26
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $18.03
maidS & housekeepERS
- Unique Job Postings: 2,027
- Jobs Change: ↑ 2.1% from Q4 2022
- Median Hourly Wage: $14.52
- Median Hourly Wage as Advertised: $16.55
About PeopleReady
PeopleReady connects people with work throughout the Chicago metro area and in rural Illinois markets. We put a Workforce Within Reach™ across a variety of industries, including hospitality, retail, manufacturing, construction and more. If you’re struggling to find workers in this competitive market, call us at 630.725.1618 to find staffing solutions now.
SOURCES
- U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- Emsi, April 3, 2023
