Monday, March 30, 1998 Governor Secretary |
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Governor Says Unemployment Rate Hits All-time Low
Strong Wisconsin economy providing seven jobs for every W-2 family
MADISON – Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today said Wisconsin continues to flex its economic muscle as February unemployment hit an all-time low of 3.1 percent, creating good-paying jobs faster than the national average – including roughly seven jobs for every family in W-2.
Gov. Thompson said Wisconsin’s economic strength is benefiting families throughout the state, but it bodes particularly well for families leaving welfare for work under W-2, which begins in earnest this Wednesday. State labor economists estimate that employers could put 110,000 people to work today, while about 15,000 families remain in W-2 – a 7 to 1 ratio of jobs to job-seekers.
"Wisconsin is a state that works," Gov. Thompson said. "There is room for every family in Wisconsin to take its rightful place in the strong Wisconsin economy. We’re creating the good-paying jobs for our families and helping them succeed in those jobs."
Gov. Thompson announced that February unemployment rate of 3.1 percent tied the state’s all-time low, which was recorded in March 1970. The February rate was down from 3.2 percent in January and remains significantly below the national average of 4.6 percent.
All 11 metropolitan areas in Wisconsin improved from a year ago in February, when unemployment was 3.7 percent statewide. Despite a much larger labor force today than 12 months ago, unemployment is down by 15,000.
Wisconsin employers continue to create jobs at a faster clip than the nation as a whole – particularly in the higher-paying manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing employment grew by 18,500 jobs over the past year, which is a 3.1 percent growth rate – dramatically better than the 1.3 percent growth rate nationally. Construction jobs grew even faster – at a 5.5 percent clip compared to 4.9 percent nationally.
And the 73,000 new jobs created over the past year represents a growth rate of 2.9 percent, compared to 2.8 percent nationally. Job growth occurred in all major classifications of industry.
Not only are the jobs there for W-2 participants, but they are good-paying jobs. The average person coming off welfare in Wisconsin is starting at $6.30 an hour – well above the minimum wage.
Under the failed AFDC system, a mother with two children was 30 percent below the poverty level. At $6.30 an hour, that same family is 25 percent above poverty – even after paying the child care co-pay and Social Security taxes.
Gov. Thompson praised Wisconsin businesses who are hiring W-2 participants and the state labor unions who are recruiting from this new pool of workers.
Employment and Labor Force
Household Survey
Unadjusted estimates | February 1998 | previous month | in last 12 months |
Total labor force | 2,928,500 | +12,900 | +48,700 |
Employed | 2,810,700 | +7,100 | +63,800 |
Unemployed | 117,800 | +5,800 | –15,000 |
Wis. Unemployment | 4.0% | 3.8% | 4.6% |
U.S. Unemployment | 5.0% | 5.2% | 5.7% |
| Seasonally adjusted | February 1998 | previous month | in last 12 months |
Total labor force | 2,966,300 | +2,900 | +50,000 |
Employed | 2,873,900 | +4,300 | +65,200 |
Unemployed | 92,400 | –1,400 | –15,200 |
Wis. Unemployment | 3.1% | 3.2% | 3.7% |
U.S. Unemployment | 4.6% | 4.7% | 5.3% |
| Jan. U.S. rank* | Unemployment % seasonally adjusted | Febr. 1998 | Jan. 1998 | Year ago |
9 | Wisconsin | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
59 | Appleton-Oshkosh | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.0 |
145 | Eau Claire | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
65 | Green Bay | 2.8 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
100 | Janesville-Beloit | 3.3 | 3.3 | 4.3 |
77 | Kenosha | 2.9 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
100 | La Crosse | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
5 | Madison | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
59 | Milwaukee-Waukesha | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.7 |
132 | Racine | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
20 | Sheboygan | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 |
194 | Wausau | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| * of 334 metro areas or 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. National rankings NOT seasonally adjusted. Lower is better. | ||||
Non-Farm Wage & Salary
Employer Survey
in thousands | October | Sept. | Year Ago | +/- month | +/– year |
| NONFARM WAGE & SALARY | 2643.0 | 2634.2 | 2569.7 | +8.8 | +73.3 |
| MANUFACTURING | 612.3 | 614.1 | 593.8 | -1.8 | 18.5 |
| DURABLE GOODS . | 375.9 | 376.4 | 362.2 | -0.5 | 13.7 |
| Lumber and Wood Products | 30.2 | 30.7 | 29.3 | -0.5 | 0.9 |
| Furniture and Fixtures | 17.2 | 17.2 | 16.5 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| Stone, Clay & Glass Products | 10.4 | 10.6 | 9.3 | -0.2 | 1.1 |
| Primary Metal Industries | 26.0 | 25.9 | 23.9 | 0.1 | 2.1 |
| Fabricated Metal Products | 66.3 | 66.2 | 63.2 | 0.1 | 3.1 |
| Nonelectrical Machinery | 115.5 | 115.8 | 113.0 | -0.3 | 2.5 |
| Electrical Machinery | 47.2 | 47.1 | 46.3 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| Transportation Equipment . | 33.5 | 33.4 | 31.7 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| Prof., Scient. & Control Instr | 18.5 | 18.4 | 17.9 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 11.1 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| NONDURABLE GOODS | 236.4 | 237.7 | 231.6 | -1.3 | 4.8 |
| Food and Kindred Products | 62.7 | 63.4 | 62.6 | -0.7 | 0.1 |
| Textile Mill Products | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| Apparel & Other Finished Prods. | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| Paper and Allied Products . | 53.2 | 53.5 | 52.1 | -0.3 | 1.1 |
| Printing, Publishing & Allied . .. | 55.1 | 55.2 | 53.2 | -0.1 | 1.9 |
| Chemicals and Allied Products . | 14.3 | 14.5 | 14.0 | -0.2 | 0.3 |
| Rubber & Misc. Plastic Prods.. | 36.5 | 36.5 | 35.7 | 0.0 | 0.8 |
| Leather & Leather Products | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| All Other Nondurable Goods .. | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| MINING | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 | -0.1 | 0.0 |
| CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION | 95.9 | 96.4 | 90.9 | -0.5 | 5.0 |
| TRANS, COMM, ELEC, GAS | 122.1 | 122.0 | 120.7 | 0.1 | 1.4 |
| TRADE | 591.9 | 596.1 | 581.1 | -4.2 | 10.8 |
| WHOLESALE TRADE | 132.5 | 133.1 | 129.8 | -0.6 | 2.7 |
| RETAIL TRADE | 459.4 | 463.0 | 451.4 | -3.6 | 8.0 |
| FINANCE, INSURANCE & REALTY | 141.1 | 141.0 | 138.3 | 0.1 | 2.8 |
| SERVICES, MISCELLANEOUS | 681.9 | 676.9 | 650.6 | 5.0 | 31.3 |
| GOVERNMENT | 396.0 | 385.7 | 392.2 | 10.3 | 3.8 |
| FEDERAL | 29.3 | 29.2 | 29.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| STATE | 96.2 | 93.9 | 96.6 | 2.3 | -0.4 |
| LOCAL | 270.4 | 262.6 | 266.3 | 7.8 | 4.1 |
| Workers in labor disputes | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | -0.3 |
Unemployment by County
not seasonally adjusted
New Rank | Febr. | Jan. | Old Rank | New Rank | Febr. | Jan. | Old Rank | |||
1 | Rusk | 10.0% | 8.8% | 3 | 37 | Iowa | 5.8% | 5.1% | 39 | |
2 | Florence | 9.7% | 8.8% | 2 | 38 | Polk | 5.6% | 5.2% | 36 | |
3 | Clark | 9.4% | 8.4% | 7 | 39 | Shawano | 5.5% | 5.4% | 35 | |
4 | Forest | 9.4% | 6.6% | 19 | 40 | Monroe | 5.4% | 5.1% | 38 | |
5 | Juneau | 9.2% | 8.4% | 6 | 41 | Sauk | 5.4% | 5.0% | 41 | |
6 | Marquette | 9.1% | 8.7% | 4 | 42 | Crawford | 5.3% | 5.0% | 40 | |
7 | Sawyer | 9.1% | 8.5% | 5 | 43 | Lafayette | 5.3% | 4.6% | 47 | |
8 | Door | 8.7% | 9.0% | 1 | 44 | Portage | 5.2% | 4.9% | 44 | |
9 | Taylor | 8.7% | 6.9% | 14 | 45 | Marathon | 5.1% | 4.9% | 43 | |
10 | Washburn | 8.6% | 8.2% | 8 | 46 | Kewaunee | 4.9% | 4.7% | 45 | |
11 | Bayfield | 8.0% | 8.1% | 9 | 47 | Buffalo | 4.5% | 4.2% | 50 | |
12 | Iron | 8.0% | 7.9% | 10 | 48 | Manitowoc | 4.4% | 4.6% | 46 | |
13 | Menominee | 7.8% | 7.3% | 12 | 49 | Dunn | 4.4% | 4.3% | 48 | |
14 | Vilas | 7.5% | 7.3% | 11 | 50 | Green | 4.3% | 3.8% | 55 | |
15 | Oconto | 7.4% | 6.6% | 18 | 51 | Racine | 4.2% | 4.2% | 49 | |
16 | Ashland | 7.3% | 7.2% | 13 | 52 | Waupaca | 4.1% | 3.9% | 51 | |
17 | Pepin | 7.3% | 6.3% | 25 | 53 | Fond du Lac | 3.9% | 3.8% | 54 | |
18 | Marinette | 7.1% | 6.1% | 28 | 54 | St. Croix | 3.9% | 3.3% | 64 | |
19 | Langlade | 7.0% | 6.6% | 17 | 55 | Pierce | 3.8% | 3.8% | 53 | |
20 | Burnett | 6.8% | 6.6% | 16 | 56 | Rock | 3.8% | 3.7% | 56 | |
21 | Green Lake | 6.8% | 6.5% | 21 | 57 | Eau Claire | 3.7% | 3.6% | 58 | |
22 | Oneida | 6.6% | 6.3% | 24 | 58 | Outagamie | 3.7% | 3.4% | 62 | |
23 | Adams | 6.5% | 6.6% | 15 | 59 | Milwaukee | 3.6% | 3.5% | 59 | |
24 | Columbia | 6.5% | 6.3% | 23 | 60 | Dodge | 3.6% | 3.5% | 60 | |
25 | Wood | 6.4% | 6.2% | 27 | 61 | Calumet | 3.4% | 3.8% | 52 | |
26 | Waushara | 6.3% | 6.5% | 20 | 62 | Jefferson | 3.4% | 3.6% | 57 | |
27 | Trempealeau | 6.3% | 6.3% | 22 | 63 | La Crosse | 3.4% | 3.4% | 61 | |
28 | Lincoln | 6.3% | 6.2% | 26 | 64 | Brown | 3.3% | 3.2% | 65 | |
29 | Richland | 6.3% | 5.0% | 42 | 65 | Walworth | 3.3% | 3.1% | 66 | |
30 | Jackson | 6.2% | 5.9% | 29 | 66 | Kenosha | 3.2% | 3.3% | 63 | |
31 | Price | 6.2% | 5.2% | 37 | 67 | Washington | 3.1% | 3.0% | 67 | |
32 | Barron | 6.1% | 5.8% | 30 | 68 | Winnebago | 3.0% | 2.7% | 68 | |
33 | Douglas | 6.1% | 5.5% | 34 | 69 | Sheboygan | 2.8% | 2.5% | 69 | |
34 | Chippewa | 5.9% | 5.7% | 31 | 70 | Waukesha | 2.5% | 2.4% | 70 | |
35 | Vernon | 5.9% | 5.6% | 32 | 71 | Ozaukee | 2.2% | 2.2% | 71 | |
36 | Grant | 5.9% | 5.5% | 33 | 72 | Dane | 2.0% | 1.9% | 72 |