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Thursday, September 18, 2014
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Federal Jobs Data: Wisconsin's Rate of Private Sector Job Growth Outpaces Illinois, Minnesota in Year Ending March 2014

State 22nd highest in number of private-sector jobs gained, 16th highest in number of manufacturing jobs added

MADISON – Actual jobs data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Wisconsin outpaced two Midwest neighboring states - Illinois and Minnesota – in the rate of private sector jobs gained from March 2013 to March 2014. Wisconsin's private sector added 28,712 jobs during this period.

"Our ongoing efforts to grow Wisconsin’s economy and develop the workforce helped the private sector create jobs at a faster rate than two of our Midwest neighbors – Minnesota and Illinois – during the 12-month period ending in March 2014," Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson said. "The addition of over 28,700 private sector jobs during this time means more opportunities for Wisconsin's workforce and is in line with many other indicators showing our state's economy continues to grow and add jobs."

Highlights of today's BLS release of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) through the first quarter of 2014 include:

• Wisconsin ranked 20th highest in total number of jobs gained and 22nd highest in total number of private sector jobs gained from March 2013 to March 2014. Wisconsin's rate of private sector job growth outpaced two of the state's four Midwest neighbors.
• Wisconsin ranked 16th highest in the number of manufacturing jobs gained during the 12-month period ending in March 2014.
• Wisconsin ranked 23rd highest in the number of construction jobs gained over the 12-month period.

Other indicators that help illustrate the state of Wisconsin’s economy include:

• Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in August 2014 from 5.8 percent in July, and is at its lowest point since 2008 and down from a high point of 9.2 percent in the year before Governor Walker took office.
• Initial weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims for the first 36 weeks of 2014 dropped to the lowest point since 2000, and the annual average weekly UI claims are at their lowest levels since 2000.
• According to the most recent personal income report, Wisconsin's 2013 per capita personal income growth was seventh highest in the nation.
• Department of Financial Institutions new business formation: up 5.5 percent during the first eight months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Today's BLS report of QCEW data is available online.