BLS Data: Wisconsin Job Gains Continue; August Unemployment Rate at 3.1%

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MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary employment estimates for the month of August 2022.

For August, jobs increased 5,500 over the month and almost 50,000 over the year. Wisconsin's unemployment rate of 3.1% now stands at 0.6 percentage points below the national rate of 3.7%.

Place of Work Data: Wisconsin added 5,500 total nonfarm jobs during the month of August and 49,600 over the year, with continued annual gains in the construction, manufacturing, retail, professional services, and leisure industries. State government jobs are down 600 over the year.

Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin's unemployment rate and labor force participation rate continue to better the U.S. equivalents. Wisconsin's August unemployment rate was 3.1% versus the U.S. rate of 3.7%. The state's labor force participation rate was 65.9% in August, compared with the national rate of 62.4%.

"Employers continued to add jobs for hard-working Wisconsinites over the month and over the year," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "At DWD, we will continue our efforts to remove employment barriers and connect workers with well-paying career opportunities through the historic Workforce Solutions Initiative and programs including Wisconsin Apprenticeship, Wisconsin Fast Forward, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and others."

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

View Wisconsin Labor Force Summary

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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 and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.