Chicago’s industrial sector rebalancing workforce dynamics

Chart shows proportion of different Chicago industrial job postings year by year from 2020 through 2023
  • Job postings within 6 industries tied to Chicago’s industrial sector declined 16% between 2022 and 2023 as companies continue to navigate through the challenging economic headwinds and pullback on hiring.
     
  • Logistics, distribution and parcel delivery companies historically had the lion’s share of job postings in the Chicago market; however, the proportion of these industries’ share of total job postings has fallen from 32% in 2020 to 17% in 2023 as demand for online shopping has softened from its pandemic highs.
     
  • While job postings within the wholesale sector declined slightly between 2022 and 2023, there are nearly 50% more jobs posted in Chicago in 2023 when compared to 2020. The sector continues to grow its presence in the market with several large wholesalers signing new leases over the past two years including Lumisource, Essendant, HD Supply and Midland Paper Packaging & Supply.

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US-IL-CHSUB Chicago Suburban