Bureau of Labor Statistics Says Wisconsin Unemployment at an All-Time Low

MADISON -- Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) most recent report covering employment and job statistics for the state based on preliminary data.

Highlights of the report:

• The number of private-sector jobs increased by 45,700 from July 2015 to July 2016.
• Increases in jobs in the following industries: manufacturing, 6,400-job increase; construction added 7,700 jobs; and transportation, warehousing and utilities gained 9,100 jobs.
• Unemployment remained steady at 4.2% in July 2016, its lowest rate since March 2001, and lower than the national rate of 4.9%.
• Labor force participation in Wisconsin has decreased to 68.3% but is slightly higher than the U.S. rate of 62.8%.

DWD secretary Ray Allen said the DWD will "continue connecting workers with the skills training necessary for good-paying, in-demand jobs today, even as we set our sights on long-term strategies to attract and retain skilled talent and keep Wisconsin's economy growing."

The BLS uses three data sets to create its employment report:

• Current employment statistics compiled from a monthly survey sent to 5,500 employers.
• Unemployment statistics, which are culled from a monthly survey of nearly a thousand households and unemployment insurance claims.
• Reports filed quarterly on employment, wages and unemployment insurance records from 96% of Wisconsin businesses.

The BLS will release its next official report featuring the data on Sept. 7. To view the most recently Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, visit the BLS website at bls.gov.cew.