Choose DuPage: Robust Job Market with Excellent Opportunities

LISLE, IL – Choose DuPage has released its 2018 First Quarter Economic Indicators Report this week outlining DuPage County’s continued economic growth. While maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in the region, the average annual salary in DuPage County is higher than both the state and national average. Current employment opportunities in high-paying positions are also available in a wide range of industries throughout DuPage further showcasing it as an ideal location for businesses and job seekers looking to build a life in a thriving community.

2018 First Quarter Economic Indicator Report Highlights:

• DuPage County continues to maintain the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicagoland region at 4.2 percent, lower than both the State of Illinois (5.0 percent) and United States (4.4 percent).

• Industrial vacancy rates are currently at 5.5 percent; office vacancy rates dropped to 15.3 percent from 17.5 percent during the same period last year.
• The average annual salary in DuPage County is approximately $62,000 – higher than both the State of Illinois ($57,000) and United States ($54,000).

Occupation Snapshot

Over the next year, the fastest growing industry in DuPage County is expected to be Healthcare Support Occupations with a +2.2 percent year-over-year rate of growth (adding 350 jobs). The next highest is Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations with 1.3 percent growth (adding 419 jobs), followed by Personal Care and Service with 1.3 percent growth (adding 257 jobs).

“DuPage County has consistently maintained the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicagoland region while we continue to bring new business development to the area,” said John Carpenter, president and CEO of Choose DuPage. “The projected growth in the healthcare and personal care sectors alone will add close to 1,000 new jobs over the next year. Our market is robust and this is an exciting time DuPage County.”

The largest major occupation groups in DuPage County are Office and Administrative Support positions (106,367 workers), Sales and Related Occupations (71,836 workers), and Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (49,322 workers). Occupations in the DuPage with the highest average wages per worker are in Management ($118,700), Legal ($101,300), and Computer and Mathematical Occupations ($87,000).Measuring future job growth by the number of advertised open positions indicates there are nearly 20,000 online job opportunities in DuPage for careers in the Computer & Mathematical field, followed by over 15,000 in Management, and tens of thousands more across various sectors in white collar and blue collar industries.

The Choose DuPage 2018 First Quarter Economic Indicators Report can be viewed in its entirety at www.choosedupage.com