Tourism in particular has become one of the most prosperous industries for Chichester. Around 6.5 million people visit the city every year, generating £460 million for the local economy. The sector also supports over 9,000 jobs across the region, particularly those in areas such as accommodation, entertainment, restaurants and culture.

In 2016 there were almost 60,000 jobs across Chichester, and over 80% of these were in the private sector. The city has a higher than average employment rate at 75%, and has the second largest number of jobs in the West Sussex region, accounting for 16% overall. Almost a quarter of the workforce have a degree or equivalent qualification, resulting in a highly-skilled and knowledgeable working population.