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Wisconsin breaks job number records in June, BLS reports

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job totals for the month of June 2023, which showed Wisconsin’s total nonfarm jobs reached a record high of 3,006,900. This is 52,900 more jobs than June 2022 and an increase of 6,900 over May 2023.

Preliminary employment estimates for June 2023 showed Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5 percent. The total labor force grew by 14,000 and employment increased by 10,700 over the month of June. Additionally, the state’s total labor force participation rate increased to 65.3 percent.

Nationwide for the month of June, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, 1.1 percentage points above Wisconsin’s rate, and the national labor force participation rate of 62.6% was 2.7 percentage points below the state rate.

  • Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in June after hitting a record low of 2.4 percent in April and May. For June, the number of unemployed people increased by 3,300 over the month and decreased by 14,300 over the year to 76,700. The labor force gained 14,000 workers over the month for a total labor force of 3,113,700. The number of people employed grew by 10,700 over the month of June for a total of 3,037,000 employed.
  • Place of Work Data: Total jobs increased by 52,900 over the year and increased 6,900 over the month to 3,006,900 total jobs in May. Private sector jobs increased by 43,700 over the year and increased by 7,000 over the month to 2,603,400. Leisure and hospitality jobs grew by 11,500 over the year and 6,100 over the month.

“Wisconsin’s labor market economy had a record-breaking June in terms of total jobs, and the labor force gained 14,000 workers over the month,” DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said in a statement. “Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate continued to outpace the nation’s rate, as well. Wisconsin workers are motivated and encouraged by the opportunities that are available, and the Department of Workforce Development remains committed to help all workers gain the skills and supports necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”