PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Chicagoland stands out as a premier headquarters destination for professional, scientific, and technical services, offering a robust ecosystem of consulting, legal, marketing, tech expertise, and more to fuel corporate success. With a deep set of top-tier firms and specialized talent, the city drives innovation in AI, analytics, and high-value services – creating high-wage jobs and inclusive growth while supporting seamless business expansion in a thriving and connected hub.
By The Numbers
$91.2B in industry output in 2025 – 6th in the nation, up 1.8% over 2024
394,430 employed in professional services across the region – 4th in the nation
37,468 professional services businesses – up 2.7% year over year
40 professional service firms expanded or relocated to Chicagoland in 2025
A Headquarters City
Chicago is home to more than 30 Fortune 500 headquarters, making it one of the most concentrated corporate markets in the country. For consulting, legal, accounting, marketing and technical services firms, that density of sophisticated clients – across finance, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and technology – creates a demand environment that is self-sustaining and cross-sector by nature.
Connectivity Serving Client-Facing Work
Professional services firms depend on access. Chicago delivers it through two international airports, ten interstate highways, and one of the country's most extensive public transit systems. O'Hare and Midway together give firms fast national and international reach, while the CTA, Metra, and Pace networks support the dense downtown and suburban employment clusters where professional services work is concentrated.
Best-In-Class Talent Pipeline
Chicagoland institutions produced 19,648 business, management, and marketing graduates in 2024, along with 11,576 in computer and information sciences – 3rd in the nation – and 2,904 in legal professions, 5th nationally. The region also draws graduates from across the Midwest, giving firms a talent pool that extends well beyond its own university system. Accenture, Edelman, Ogilvy, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, and RSM are all established here, which itself signals the depth of available professional talent.
Companies Choosing Chicago
Sargent & Lundy, a Chicago-based engineering firm, expanded its office by 448,000 square feet in 2025. Axis Warehouse grew its operations by nearly 447,000 square feet. JiuFang E-Commerce Logistics opened a 433,831 square foot office in the region. Across disciplines, professional services firms at every scale are deepening their Chicagoland footprint.
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Connect With Our Team
Our team works directly with professional services firms exploring Chicago for expansion or relocation. Tell us about your project and we'll be in touch.