The Chicago Purchasing Managers' Business Barometer rose to 59.4 in January from 58.8 in December, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Friday.
Last week, the annual benchmark revision resulted in the December number being lifted to 58.8 from the 58.3 first reported,
The data is compiled on a seasonally adjusted basis. An index reading below 50 signals a slowing economy, while a level above 50 suggests expansion.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 57.8 reading for the index.
"The survey has signposted a significant improvement in the jobs market over the past year," the group said in a release. "The start of 2015 saw the Employment Indicator rise sharply on the month to the highest since November 2013 and well above the levels seen in January 2014."