Wisconsin adds 58,800 nonfarm, 54,600 private sector jobs over the year

The latest report for Wisconsin jobs showed better numbers statewide than the national averages. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary employment estimates for the month of October 2022, which showed Wisconsin has added 58,800 total nonfarm and 54,600 private sector jobs from October 2021 through October 2022. The data also showed that Wisconsin had an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, and the labor force participation rate was 65.3 percent compared to a national unemployment rate of 3.7 percent and a labor force participation rate of 62.2 percent.

Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate declined to 65.3 percent in October from 65.6 percent in September, but was still 3.1 percentage points higher than the national rate of 62.2 percent. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate in October was 3.3 percent, 0.4 percent below the national rate of 3.7 percent.

Over the year, Wisconsin added 58,800 total nonfarm jobs and 54,600 private sector jobs. From September to October 2022, Wisconsin private sector jobs decreased by 1,600 and total nonfarm jobs declined by 2,200.

“Wisconsin continues to show strong year-over-year job growth and has an unemployment rate lower than the national rate,” DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. “Wisconsin has invested heavily in its people and the training and placement programs that connect so many to a life-changing career. Whether it’s through apprenticeship, Wisconsin Fast Forward, Vocational Rehabilitation or one of the Workforce Solution Initiative programs, we will continue to invest in programming that connects Wisconsinites to good paying jobs.”