Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Releases Unemployment Rate for September

Friday, November 17th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data showing Wisconsin's unemployment rate was 3.2% last month, up slightly from 3.1% in September and 0.7% below the national rate of 3.9% in October.

The state's total labor force participation rate held steady at 65.8%, 3.1% higher than the national labor force participation rate of 62.7%. Wisconsin's total non-farm jobs remained at a near-record high at 3,013,900 in October, even with a decrease by 1,400 from September.

This is 32,800 more jobs than October 2022. Wisconsin's unemployment rate was 3.2% in October, up from 3.1% in September and mirroring the 0.1% increase in the national unemployment rate, which was 3.9% in October compared to 3.8% the previous month.

The number of unemployed people increased 5,400 over the month and increased by 8,500 over the year to 102,000, still remaining around record lows. The labor force gained 3,600 workers over the month for a total of 3,142,100 workers. The number of people employed decreased by 1,800 over the month for a total of 3,040,100 employed.

Total jobs increased by 32,800 over the year and decreased 1,400 over the month to 3,013,900 total jobs in October. Private sector jobs increased by 24,500 over the year and decreased by 2,800 over the month to 2,607,600.

Health care and social assistance jobs grew by 13,600 over the year. Construction jobs decreased by 900 over the month and increased by 1,500 over the year.

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