Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 16,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI market declined by 24,178 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 42 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI unemployment rate is 76 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 260 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 5.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Unemployment April 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 947,300; -3,100
  • Business Services: 836,500; +2,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 729,400; +2,500
  • Government: 532,000; +2,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 435,300; +16,000
  • Manufacturing: 409,700; +2,600
  • Financial Services: 314,200; -2,500
  • Other Jobs: 186,500; +1,300
  • Construction, Mining: 178,600; +14,300
  • IT & Development: 78,000; +600
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Unemployment by Industry April 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 1, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.