Chicago averages 50.5 applicants per job across 30,952 open positions from 5,026 employers.
Data Analyst leads with 123 applicants per job—4.9× higher than the least competitive roles
Chicago's most competitive positions are concentrated in tech and finance roles. Our analysis of 30,952 LinkedIn job postings shows Data Analyst as the hardest role to land, with 123 applicants competing for each of just 83 openings. That's 4.9× more competitive than Truck Driver roles and 144% above Chicago's average of 50.5 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
396+ openings across healthcare and skilled trades roles with just 25-26 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Healthcare and skilled trades roles dominate Chicago's least competitive job categories. Truck Driver positions have just 25 applicants per opening across 66 available jobs—4.9× easier to land than Data Analyst roles and 50% below Chicago's average competition of 50.5 applicants.
Consultant leads with 970 openings at 44 applicants per job | Data Analyst is hardest to land at 123 applicants | Truck Driver easiest at 25
Our analysis of 30,952 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Chicago's 56 major job categories. Consultant offers the most opportunity with 970 open positions, but faces 44 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Data Analyst is the hardest role to land in Chicago with 123 applicants competing for just 83 openings.
Of all 56 job titles analyzed, 14 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 2,060 jobs, while 25 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 3,961 combined openings. The competition gap in Chicago is stark: Data Analyst averages 123 applicants while Truck Driver sees just 25—a 4.9× difference.
Rush University Medical Center leads with 517 jobs (1.7% of market) | Hyatt hardest at 113 applicants | Northwestern Medicine easiest at 25
Rush University Medical Center dominates Chicago's job market with 517 open positions—1.7% of all jobs in the metro area—at 42 applicants per role. Deloitte follows with 401 positions at 30 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 3,242 jobs—10% of Chicago's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Hyatt is the hardest place to get hired in Chicago with 113 applicants per job, while Northwestern Medicine offers better odds at just 25 applicants. Of 83 major employers analyzed, 21 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 38 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Chicago metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 30,952 LinkedIn job postings in the Chicago metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Salesforce, Northwestern Medicine, and 8 other employers with 5,018 open positions
The Technology sector in Chicago currently has 5,018 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 61 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
KPMG US, Capital One, and 8 other employers with 3,742 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Chicago currently has 3,742 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 62 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
Rush University Medical Center, UI Health, and 8 other employers with 3,165 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Chicago currently has 3,165 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 39 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
EY, Sargent & Lundy, and 8 other employers with 1,825 open positions
The Consulting sector in Chicago currently has 1,825 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 52 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
McDonald's, Kraft Heinz, and 8 other employers with 1,514 open positions
The Hospitality sector in Chicago currently has 1,514 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 54 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
Deloitte, PwC, and 8 other employers with 1,500 open positions
The Accounting sector in Chicago currently has 1,500 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
Walgreens, H&R Block, and 8 other employers with 1,202 open positions
The Retail sector in Chicago currently has 1,202 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 45 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
Komatsu, Newly Weds Foods, and 8 other employers with 1,172 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Chicago currently has 1,172 open positions across 10 employers in Chicago. With an average of 59 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Chicago's overall market average of 50.5.
Management and Manufacturing leads with 2,957 jobs (10% of market) at 42 applicants | Marketing and Product Management easiest to break into at 25 applicants
Management and Manufacturing dominates Chicago's job market with 2,957 open positions—10% of all jobs—at 42 applicants per role. Health Care Provider follows with 2,660 positions at 28 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 8,256 jobs—27% of Chicago's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Marketing is the most competitive category in Chicago with 89 applicants per job, while Marketing and Product Management offers the best odds at just 25 applicants—a 64-applicant difference. Of 32 functions analyzed, 3 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 5 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Chicago's job competition compare to Midwest rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Chicago has 19% less competition overall than New York City. Chicago wins on most role comparisons.
See full New York City job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Chicago ranks #3 of 4 for easiest job market in Midwest.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 30,952 active job postings in Chicago.
Chicago averages 50.5 applicants per job across 30,952 open positions. Data Analyst is hardest at 123 applicants; Truck Driver is easiest at 25.
Data Analyst (123 applicants per job), Data Engineer (117), and Financial Analyst (110). These roles see 4.9× more competition than healthcare positions.
Truck Driver (25 applicants per job, 66 openings), Licensed Practical Nurse (25), and Physical Therapist (25).
Rush University Medical Center leads with 517 jobs, followed by Deloitte (401) and PwC (373). 5,026 companies are actively hiring.
30,952 open positions across 5,026 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Technology (5,018 jobs), Banking & Finance (3,742), and Healthcare (3,165).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 30,952 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Chicago-metro area to calculate competition levels by job title, industry, employer, and job function.
Competition is measured by the average number of applicants per job posting. Roles with 70+ applicants are classified as highly competitive, 40-69 as moderately competitive, and under 40 as less competitive.
With 50.5 applicants per job, you need a resume that immediately proves you're the top candidate. Our writers conduct 1-on-1 interviews to uncover your unique achievements and create ATS-optimized resumes that get noticed.
