BLS Data: Wisconsin Adds Jobs, Statewide Unemployment Rate Dips to 3.0%

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MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary job totals for February 2024, which showed year over year gains in the labor force, employment, and jobs. The data also showed that the unemployment rate, at 3.0% in February, ticked down 0.2 percentage points over the month.

Nationwide for the month of February, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9%, 0.9 percentage points higher than Wisconsin's rate. The national labor force participation rate of 62.5% was 3.2 percentage points below the state rate of 65.7%.

Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin's unemployment was 3.0% in February. The number of unemployed people decreased 4,800 over the month to 95,600. The labor force decreased 4,900 over the month and increased 35,500 over the year to 3,143,300. The number of people employed decreased 100 over the month and increased 21,000 over the year.

Place of Work Data: Total nonfarm jobs increased 3,200 over the month and 22,400 over the year to a record high 3,030,900 jobs in February. Private sector jobs increased 15,700 over the year and held steady over the month at 2,621,500.

The data included in today's release can be accessed at 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.