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The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Illinois For 2026

By Kathy Morris
Jan. 8, 2020
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Jan. 23, 2026

Find a Job You Really Want In

Looking to navigate the job market in Illinois in 2026?

Whether you’re seeking new opportunities or considering a career change, understanding the local job market is crucial. Different regions within Illinois present distinct employment landscapes, making job hunting easier in some areas compared to others. This guide provides insights into the ten most promising job markets across the state, helping you identify where to focus your efforts.

At Zippia, we analyze data to bring you the latest job market insights for Illinois. Let’s dive into the top ten job markets for 2026.

The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Illinois

  1. Libertyville village
  2. Northbrook village
  3. Western Springs village
  4. Campton Hills village
  5. Wilmette village
  6. River Forest village
  7. Elmhurst
  8. Hinsdale village
  9. Roscoe village
  10. St. Charles

Here they are—the ten cities in Illinois with the most favorable conditions for job seekers in 2026. If your city isn’t listed, continue reading for a comprehensive overview of the full rankings.

How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Illinois

To analyze the job markets in Illinois, we utilized the latest data from the Census American Community Survey, focusing on metropolitan areas with a civilian workforce of over 5,000.

While the unemployment rate is a key indicator, it only tells part of the story. Therefore, we evaluated several factors to provide a more comprehensive ranking of job markets in Illinois.

Each metropolitan area was ranked from 1 to 213 across four categories:

  • Unemployment Rate
  • Change in Unemployment Rate
  • Household Income Change
  • Current Average Household Income

In each category, a lower score indicates a better job market. For instance, Chatham village had the lowest unemployment rate, earning it the top spot for that metric. We averaged the rankings across all categories to produce our final list, with lower scores indicating stronger job markets.

1. Libertyville village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 3.32%
Average Income: $174,644

2. Northbrook village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 2.77%
Average Income: $171,908

3. Western Springs village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 2.45%
Average Income: $211,626

4. Campton Hills village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 3.53%
Average Income: $188,251

5. Wilmette village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 4.42%
Average Income: $232,780

6. River Forest village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 2.29%
Average Income: $222,859

7. Elmhurst

Elmhurst, IL

Source: Public domain

Unemployment Rate: 4.09%
Average Income: $157,470

8. Hinsdale village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 3.17%
Average Income: $281,855

9. Roscoe village

Source: Public Domain

Unemployment Rate: 4.26%
Average Income: $98,159

10. St. Charles

St. Charles, IL

Source: Wikipedia User Keybdn at Engli | GFDL

Unemployment Rate: 3.51%
Average Income: $123,308

Measuring the Best Job Markets in Illinois

If you’re reading this and find yourself in Chatham village but still struggling to secure employment, you’re not alone. The job market can be competitive, and personal circumstances such as education, work experience, and specific job roles heavily influence employment outcomes. Nevertheless, overall job seekers in Chatham village will face fewer barriers compared to those in areas ranked lower on our list.

Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Illinois

Rank Place Unemployment Rate Average Income
1 Libertyville Village 3.32% $174,644
2 Northbrook Village 2.77% $171,908
3 Western Springs Village 2.45% $211,626
4 Campton Hills Village 3.53% $188,251
5 Wilmette Village 4.42% $232,780
6 River Forest Village 2.29% $222,859
7 Elmhurst 4.09% $157,470
8 Hinsdale Village 3.17% $281,855
9 Roscoe Village 4.26% $98,159
10 St. Charles 3.51% $123,308
11 Park Ridge 3.13% $140,124
12 Prospect Heights 2.48% $96,581
13 Crystal Lake 4.03% $104,216
14 Morton Grove Village 3.86% $100,584
15 Buffalo Grove Village 4.19% $139,396
16 Glenview Village 3.55% $163,774
17 Bartlett Village 4.14% $116,985
18 Lemont Village 3.71% $123,763
19 Homer Glen Village 4.06% $120,581
20 Itasca Village 3.39% $112,577
21 Bloomingdale Village 4.37% $104,242
22 Lake Zurich Village 3.93% $134,878
23 New Lenox Village 5.26% $128,751
24 Mchenry 4.62% $88,293
25 Gurnee Village 4.82% $117,140
26 Naperville 4.46% $148,561
27 Mokena Village 3.67% $125,793
28 Vernon Hills Village 3.29% $128,936
29 Lindenhurst Village 6.83% $118,463
30 Geneva 3.6% $139,622
31 Cary Village 4.17% $115,916
32 La Grange Village 3.87% $161,214
33 Swansea Village 5.19% $101,074
34 Highland Park 3.9% $220,174
35 Columbia 3.66% $122,768
36 Mundelein Village 4.1% $108,393
37 Romeoville Village 4.79% $86,468
38 South Elgin Village 5.09% $113,350
39 Oswego Village 3.56% $118,264
40 Lake In The 3.01% $104,789
41 Lombard Village 4.09% $97,751
42 Evanston 4.15% $125,427
43 Algonquin Village 6.14% $121,704
44 Effingham 4.59% $68,688
45 Lisle Village 5.06% $114,676
46 Channahon Village 4.81% $103,732
47 Wheaton 3.96% $132,143
48 Batavia 5.26% $122,646
49 West Chicago 4.46% $93,869
50 Wheeling Village 3.66% $84,222
51 Wauconda Village 4.76% $99,935
52 Glen Ellyn Village 3.18% $155,104
53 Norridge Village 4.63% $84,422
54 Roselle Village 3.4% $101,371
55 Plainfield Village 4.21% $140,256
56 Grayslake Village 5.16% $108,888
57 Lincolnwood Village 5.86% $116,740
58 Oak Park Village 5.17% $127,789
59 Elk Grove Village 4.45% $95,144
60 Shorewood Village 3.36% $123,062
61 Downers Grove Village 4.68% $114,761
62 Brookfield Village 4.19% $97,924
63 Mount Prospect Village 4.25% $98,076
64 Elgin 6.26% $83,912
65 Darien 4.68% $118,149
66 Evergreen Park Village 3.87% $91,604
67 Aurora 5.83% $91,235
68 Sugar Grove Village 4.85% $130,209
69 Orland Park Village 3.51% $113,805
70 Wood Dale 6.76% $90,436
71 Carol Stream Village 5.53% $93,895
72 Winfield Village 2.31% $129,969
73 Skokie Village 5.52% $100,093
74 Westchester Village 4.59% $94,468
75 Arlington Heights Village 3.31% $117,036
76 Deerfield Village 2.9% $197,995
77 Bolingbrook Village 5.19% $101,564
78 Bourbonnais Village 3.4% $82,362
79 Palatine Village 3.9% $103,566
80 Frankfort Village 5.61% $151,469
81 Sycamore 4.42% $85,934
82 Lake Forest 4.91% $265,477
83 Schaumburg Village 3.79% $95,168
84 Shiloh Village 3.81% $115,810
85 Oak Forest 5.16% $87,791
86 Montgomery Village 5.14% $95,697
87 Round Lake Beach 5.3% $79,303
88 North Aurora Village 4.67% $108,529
89 Antioch Village 2.94% $101,466
90 Normal 2.62% $74,549
91 Plano 6.77% $73,118
92 Elmwood Park Village 6.17% $74,468
93 Des Plaines 4.81% $85,585
94 Lansing Village 11.09% $68,625
95 Morton Village 2.37% $99,058
96 Hoffman Estates Village 4.05% $109,862
97 Villa Park Village 3.83% $88,886
98 Chatham Village 1.89% $96,613
99 Hanover Park Village 6.41% $82,107
100 La Grange Park 4.05% $118,307

In summary, the job market landscape in Illinois is constantly evolving. Understanding the dynamics of these local markets can significantly enhance your job search strategy. Remember to leverage your unique skills and experiences as you explore opportunities in these promising areas.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

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