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