Chicago’s tech workforce growth, top employers, and the education pipeline fueling the region’s digital economy

This week’s edition of The WBC Business Pulse, powered by LinkedIn offers a look at Chicagoland’s tech workforce, mapped through a nationally recognized government framework that defines the computer and mathematical occupations powering our region.

Himashi Jayasundera and Hannah Loftus from the World Business Chicago Research Center unpack the data—job postings, education pipelines, hiring trends—and spotlight how tech talent is driving innovation far beyond traditional “tech” companies.

From aviation to manufacturing, higher education to healthcare, this data tells a more complete story of how Chicagoland is advancing as a tech-powered economy.

Computer occupations continue to be a strong segment of our diverse workforce

With over $39.3 billion in 2024 economic output and over 99K employed as of 2024, Chicagoland’s digital tech sector is one of the region’s most important.

However, tech is found in all segments of Chicagoland’s economy, and is one of our ecosystem’s most defining features – some of our top tech talent is solving problems for key industries like finance, professional services, government, and manufacturing.

Nationally, tech jobs are growing. Despite the concerns about automation, the surge in AI is driving a net increase in tech jobs, as businesses expand hiring in AI-adjacent and security-focused roles rather than simply replacing workers.

How are we defining tech occupations?

We are specifically looking at computer and mathematical occupations, a government-defined occupation coding framework, which span roles like software developers, database analysts, network administrators, data scientists and more. This allows us to better understand Chicagoland’s tech ecosystem as it intersects with traditional industries.

The top companies hiring in Chicagoland with interest in computer and mathematical occupations and skills

(This chart also includes the corresponding Job Titles Posted from June 2024 – June 2025.)

The region’s shift toward a more connected and data-driven economy means that nearly every industry – not just traditional tech companies – now requires advanced technology solutions.

Many of Chicagoland’s largest employers are in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics – fields that are advancing software solutions, AI, data analytics, and information security. Some examples include:

• United Airlines is leveraging responsible AI and emerging technologies in its cybersecurity department to enhance data protection, deliver real-time insights, improve customer support, and optimize travel experiences. The company also supports cybersecurity education and professional development through initiatives like Innovate, a full-time paid program offering two years of hands-on technology training.
• CME Group is partnering with Google Cloud to pilot blockchain-based solutions aimed at improving market infrastructure for 24/7 trading, focusing on payment systems and asset tokenization using Google Cloud’s Universal Ledger. The company has completed the first phase of integration and testing and plans to begin direct testing with market participants later in 2025, targeting a full service launch in 2026. This technology has the potential to increase efficiencies in collateral, margin, settlement, and fee payments as global markets transition to round-the-clock operations.
• Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center rolled out ambient AI after a successful trial period: This technology is used to generate draft clinical notes for clinicians to review and approve before adding them to the EHR (electronic health record)—simialr to residents preparing notes for attending physicians. This implementation was in efforts to address increasing administrative burdens on healthcare providers, Rush integrated the ambient AI system smoothly with its Epic EHR platform.

Chicagoland is a leading tech education hub strengthened by strong collaborations with major tech companies

In 2023, there were 10,370 computer and information sciences and support program completions (degrees and certificates) in the Chicagoland area, the 3rd most in the nation and a 79%increase since 2020. This ranking reflects an analysis of comparative metropolitan areas and their university and well-funded STEM program ecosystem. Though the region trails behind New York, Atlanta, and Dallas, Chicago’s position as the fourth-largest in completions highlights its continued importance as a tech education and workforce hub.

The top four programs by 2023 completion rate:

Leading universities like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, DePaul University, and Loyola University Chicago provide strong, nationally ranked computer science programs featuring specialized curricula in areas like AI, cybersecurity, machine learning, and quantum computing.

• University of Chicago Join Task Force Initiative: Resources provided through the JTFI AI for Science initiative organize strategic matchmaking workshops between AI and other fields, offering students research and consulting opportunities and fostering joint projects in key AI areas.
• Loyola University Center for Cybersecurity: Focuses on education, hands-on experience, and research in cybersecurity and holds the National Security Agency’s (NSA) designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is partnering with DMG MOR Ion the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing: This collaboration aims to train the next generation of advanced manufacturing workers and support the growth of high-tech industries.
• City Colleges of Chicago Runway 606: In partnership with Chicago Public Schools, this program offers pathways for students to earn a master’s degree in tech fields at Illinois Tech, potentially reducing the time required to complete the degree by two years

Chicagoland’s thriving tech growth drives upward mobility and advances economic equity.

Of the 10,370 computer and information sciences and support program completions in 2023, there were 3,620 non-degree certificates and 1,366 Associate’s degrees awarded – representing an affordable training pathway to tech occupations. And these are well-paying jobs: Chicagoland’s median wage in the tech ecosystem is $49.42 per hour.

We see a diverse tech ecosystem in Chicagoland, although there’s room for improvement in matching the region’s demographics: 55% of computer and mathematical occupations are White, 9% are Hispanic or Latino, 8% are Black, and 26% are Asian. Similarly, 72% of these occupations are held by men, and 28% by women.

At World Business Chicago, our goal isn’t just to publish data—it’s to provide clarity.

The WBC Business Pulse, powered by LinkedIn, exists to help close the gap between perception and reality, giving business leaders, civic stakeholders, and investors the trusted insight needed to act with confidence. As Chicago’s economy grows more interconnected, understanding where tech is—and where it’s going—becomes essential to shaping an inclusive, resilient future.

Sources:

• Getting A Job In Tech In Chicago In 2025: The Complete Guide
• Ranking The Top 10 High-Paying Tech Jobs In Chicago In 2025
• Motion Recruitment – 2025 Chicago Tech Salary Guide
• Top Tech Employers in Chicago
• Lightcast

Methodology

• SOC (Standard Occupational Code) for Tech
• CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) Code