Area's wage growth above average, but inequalities abound
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that Chicago-area wages rose 4.6 percent last year, however these increases were not spread equally among all sectors. Wage increases were largest for white- and blue-collar employees, while the wages of service-sector employees remained stagnant. Service-sector workers often lack bargaining power because they are not as highly skilled as white-collar workers and they are less likely to be unionized than blue-collar workers. An economist with the bureau explained that the reason for the higher wage growth in Chicago compared to the national average was the boost in financial services industries.
See Rachel Osterman, Chicago Tribune, August 6, 2003