BLS Data: Wisconsin Unemployment Rate Remains at 3.9 Percent; Labor Force Participation Rate Increases to 66.5 Percent

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MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary employment estimates for the month of August 2021.The data for August shows that Wisconsin's unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent while the state's Labor Force Participation Rate increased to 66.5 percent, up from 66.4 percent in July.

Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin's labor force participation rate in August was 66.5, 4.8 percentage points higher than the national rate of 61.7 percent. Wisconsin's unemployment rate in August was 3.9 percent, while the national unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in the same month.

Place of Work Data: Wisconsin lost 8,200 private-sector and 10,400 total non-farm jobs in August 2021.

"Wisconsin's unemployment rate held at 3.9 percent in August and our total labor force increased by 5,500 individuals showing that more people are confident and eager to get back to work," DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. "In order to keep Wisconsin's economy moving forward, we must get serious about combatting the Delta variant as COVID-19 continues to cause ripples in job markets due to many factors including supply chain issues, and consumer confidence in eating out or traveling, which directly affects the service providing sector."

View Wisconsin Labor Force Summary

Today's full report can be viewed on DWD's premier source for labor market information, WisConomy.com.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases here and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.