Labor Advantages
Strengths of the Greater Sterling, Illinois Labor Market
The Greater Sterling, Illinois labor shed gives you access to a population of nearly 685,000 people and a labor force of over 340,000! The stats don’t lie, Manufacturing makes up over 15% of the employment in our labor shed and is more than 20% of our GDP. Plus, our cost of living is nearly 20% lower than the state of Illinois’. For these reasons, Sterling, Illinois gives you one of the best locations in the Midwest for skilled and technical workers
Strengths of the Greater Sterling, Illinois Labor Market
The Greater Sterling, Illinois labor shed gives you access to a population of nearly 685,000 people and a labor force of over 340,000! The stats don’t lie, Manufacturing makes up over 15% of the employment in our labor shed and is more than 20% of our GDP. Plus, our cost of living is nearly 20% lower than the state of Illinois’. For these reasons, Sterling, Illinois gives you one of the best locations in the Midwest for skilled and technical workers
340,000+ Labor Force
15% Labor Force in Manufacturing
20% Manufacturing as a portion of GDP
Sterling, Illinois Strength in Manufacturing
The Greater Sterling, Illinois Labor Shed has nearly 2X the National Average of Workers in across all Manufacturing Industries:
- 66.5X more employed in Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing
- 47X more employed in Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing
- 32X more employed in Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
- 25X more employed in Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing
- 15X more employed in Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing
- 15X more employed in Construction Machinery Manufacturing
- 10X more employed in Steel Foundries
- 10X more employed in Welding and Soldering Equipment Manufacturing
Sterling, Illinois Strength in Transportation & Warehousing
The Greater Sterling, Illinois Location gives Distribution companies access to the Midwest without the high traffic issues of metro markets. Additionally, our Labor Shed has a higher percentage of workers in Transportation & Warehousing in multiple categories than the National Average!
- 130% More Railroad & Locomotive Switch Operators
- 90% More Conveyor Operators
- 53% More Tank Car and Truck Loaders
- 44% More Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Laborers
- 37% More Industrial Truck Operators
- 35% More Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- 27% More Packers and Packagers
Sterling, Illinois Strength in Transportation & Warehousing
The Greater Sterling, Illinois Location gives Distribution companies access to the Midwest without the high traffic issues of metro markets. Additionally, our Labor Shed has a higher percentage of workers in Transportation & Warehousing in multiple categories than the National Average!
- 130% More Railroad & Locomotive Switch Operators
- 90% More Conveyor Operators
- 53% More Tank Car and Truck Loaders
- 44% More Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Laborers
- 37% More Industrial Truck Operators
- 35% More Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- 27% More Packers and Packagers
- 5 times more employed in Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing
- 47 times more employed in Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing
- 47 times more employed in Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing
- 32 times more employed in Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
- 30 times more employed in Wet Corn Milling
- 25 times more employed in Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use
- 24 times more employed in Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing
- 19 times more employed in Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy Product Manufacturing
- 16 times more employed in Lime Manufacturing
- 15 times more employed in Meat Processed from Carcasses
- 15 times more employed in Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Construction Machinery Manufacturing
- 14 times more employed in Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing
- 13 times more employed in Nonferrous Forging
- 12 times more employed in Fluid Milk Manufacturing
- 11 times more employed in Iron and Steel Forging
- 10 times more employed in Flat Glass Manufacturing
- 10 times more employed in Steel Foundries (except Investment)
- 10 times more employed in Welding and Soldering Equipment Manufacturing
- 9 times more employed in Cheese Manufacturing
- 8 times more employed in Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing
- 7 times more employed in Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing
- 7 times more employed in Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing
- 7 times more employed in Truck Trailer Manufacturing
- 6 times more employed in Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including
- 6 times more employed in Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing
- 6 times more employed in Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
- 6 times more employed in Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing
- 6 times more employed in Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
- 6 times more employed in Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
- 5 times more employed in Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Hardware Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Capacitor, Resistor, Coil, Transformer, and Other Inductor Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Plastics Bottle Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Other Animal Food Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Cement Manufacturing
- 4 times more employed in Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding
- 5 times more employed in Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers
- 3 times more employed in Plate Work Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Metal Can Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading)
- 3 times more employed in All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing
- 3 times more employed in Other Snack Food Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Footwear Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing
- 3 times more employed in All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
- 5 times more employed in Machine Tool Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Scale and Balance Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Industrial Mold Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Food Product Machinery Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Other Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Books Printing
- 2 times more employed in Paint and Coating Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Machine Shops
- 2 times more employed in Precision Turned Product Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring
- 2 times more employed in Industrial Valve Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing
- 2 times more employed in Gasket, Packing, and Sealing Device Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Mattress Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
- 5 times more employed in Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
- 5100% growth in Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing
- 1350% growth in Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing
- 1260% growth in Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing
- 463% growth in Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
- 341% growth in All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
- 257% growth in Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing
- 205% growth in Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing
- 5% growth in All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing
- 127% growth in Nonferrous Forging
- 121% growth in Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing
- 119% growth in Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing
- 79% growth in Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing
- 77% growth in Iron and Steel Forging
- 73% growth in Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing
- 62% growth in Other Animal Food Manufacturing
- 56% growth in Precision Turned Product Manufacturing
- 55% growth in Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
- 52% growth in Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins
- 5% growth in Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
- 51% growth in Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing
- 50% growth in Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate
- 49% growth in Cheese Manufacturing
- 49% growth in Other Snack Food Manufacturing
- 49% growth in Books Printing
- 48% growth in Breweries
- 47% growth in Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing
- 42% growth in Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing
- 37% growth in Wet Corn Milling
- 37% growth in All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing
- 30% growth in Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing
- 29% growth in Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
- 27% growth in Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
- 24% growth in Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing
- 24% growth in Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing
- 22% growth in Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing
- 20% growth in Plastics Bottle Manufacturing
- 20% growth in Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing
- 19% growth in Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Metal Can Manufacturing
- 17% growth in Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring
- 5% growth in Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Plate Work Manufacturing
- 15% growth in Cement Manufacturing
- 13% growth in Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing
- 12% growth in Gasket, Packing, and Sealing Device Manufacturing
- 5% growth in Lime Manufacturing
- 9 times more employed as Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- 5 times more employed as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
- 5 times more employed as Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 5 times more employed as Slaughterers and Meat Packers
- 5 times more employed as Pourers and Casters, Metal
- 4 times more employed as Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- 3 times more employed as Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 3 times more employed as Tool and Die Makers
- 3 times more employed as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- 3 times more employed as Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 3 times more employed as Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
- 3 times more employed as Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
- 3 times more employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 3 times more employed as Food Batchmakers
- 5 times more employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 5 times more employed as Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- 5 times more employed as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
- 2 times more employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- 2 times more employed as Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Machinists
- 2 times more employed as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- 2 times more employed as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 2 times more employed as Foundry Mold and Coremakers
- 2 times more employed as Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Food Processing Workers, All Other
- 2 times more employed as Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Butchers and Meat Cutters
- 2 times more employed as First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- 2 times more employed as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- 2 times more employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
- 2 times more employed as Team Assemblers
- 2 times more employed as Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
- 5 times more employed as Helpers–Production Workers
- 5 times more employed as Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- 5 times more employed as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- 5 times more employed as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- 3,620 employed as Team Assemblers
- 2,223 employed as First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- 1,888 employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- 1,644 employed as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- 1,469 employed as Machinists
- 1,365 employed as Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- 972 employed as Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- 923 employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 845 employed as Food Batchmakers
- 771 employed as Slaughterers and Meat Packers
- 643 employed as Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- 642 employed as Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- 627 employed as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 613 employed as Helpers–Production Workers
- 610 employed as Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 598 employed as Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other
- 543 employed as Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 501 employed as Butchers and Meat Cutters
- 449 employed as Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- 429 employed as Bakers
- 429 employed as Production Workers, All Other
- 360 employed as Tool and Die Makers
- 351 employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 351 employed as Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
- 338 employed as Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 337 employed as Printing Press Operators
- 309 employed as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- 305 employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
- 239 employed as Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters