Illinois: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #36 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 12,812,508.
Illinois ranks #36 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (46.3). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 39.5 (Moderate), while Other Services is the most challenging at 50.5 (Elevated). The 11.0-point spread signals moderate variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 838,041 jobs.
Illinois: 46.3 Average Entry Risk
Illinois at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Illinois
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Illinois.
Entry Risk by Industry in Illinois
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Illinois. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Illinois Industry Data: 295,142 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 39.5 | #30/51 | 28,646 | 504,756 | $31,130 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 42.6 | #33/51 | 60,564 | 441,983 | $126,277 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 43.6 | #30/51 | 37,695 | 838,041 | $64,306 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 44.3 | #33/51 | 13,943 | 79,786 | $89,068 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 46.2 | #10/51 | 20,134 | 297,859 | $155,722 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 48.1 | #39/51 | 35,202 | 571,407 | $41,802 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 48.5 | #38/51 | 9,550 | 91,097 | $143,190 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 49.1 | #34/51 | 32,693 | 236,852 | $90,842 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 50.5 | #46/51 | 21,715 | 401,753 | $60,597 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 50.5 | #39/51 | 35,000 | 205,060 | $57,410 |
Largest Industries in Illinois by Employment
Metro Markets in Illinois
8 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Illinois Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Illinois's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Illinois averages 46.3 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #36 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Illinois?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Illinois at 39.5 (Moderate). It employs 504,756 workers across 28,646 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Illinois?
Other Services posts Illinois's highest entry risk at 50.5 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Illinois?
295,142 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Illinois, employing 3,668,594 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Illinois's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Illinois with 838,041 jobs across 37,695 establishments and an entry risk score of 43.6.