FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 22, 2017

CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722

On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm

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BLS Data: Wisconsin Ranks 2nd Nationally, 1st in the Midwest for Number of Manufacturing Jobs Added Year over Year

             Wisconsin also ranks tied for 1st in the Midwest and tied for 8th Nationally for Drop in Unemployment Rate Year over Year

MADISON – Today, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Ray Allen released the following statement on the state by state rankings released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing that Wisconsin’s economy continues to outperform the majority of states in a variety of measurements:

“Building on yesterday’s strong job numbers, today’s state by state rankings show that Wisconsin continues to add family supporting manufacturing jobs at a quicker rate than the vast majority of states,” Secretary Allen said.  “The size of our labor force has reached record heights, more people are employed in Wisconsin today than ever before, and the year over year reduction in our unemployment rate ranks tied for 1st in the Midwest and tied for 8th nationally.  These measurements demonstrate now, more than ever before, that our pro-growth strategies and focus on worker training and meeting the needs of Wisconsin employers is creating a strong environment for economic prosperity.” 

Highlights of today’s release include:

  • Wisconsin ranked 1st in the Midwest in year over year percent growth of private sector jobs
  • Wisconsin ranked 2nd in the Midwest and 7th nationally in year over year percent growth in manufacturing jobs
  • Wisconsin’s unemployment rate of 3.2 percent ranks 11th nationally, and 3rd in the Midwest
  • Wisconsin’s year over year drop in the unemployment rate tied for 1st in the Midwest, and tied for 8th nationally
  • Wisconsin 12 month gain of over 42,900 private sector jobs ranked 15th nationally and 3rd in the Midwest
  • Wisconsin’s addition of 16,900 manufacturing jobs year over year ranked 2nd nationally and 1st in the Midwest

Other indicators of the strength of Wisconsin’s economy include:

  • Initial UI claims ended 2016 at their lowest level in their last 30 years. Year 2017 initial UI claims are running at the lowest in at least the past 30 years.
  • Continuing unemployment claims ended 2016 at their lowest level since 1973. Continuing unemployment claims in Wisconsin are running at the lowest in at least the past 30 years.
  • Additionally, 2017 YTD totals for both initial and continuing claims through week 49 are both below 2016 YTD totals for the same time period.
  • Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded the states credit rating, noting that “(T)he stable outlook reflects the expectation that the state will experience moderate economic growth and will continue its prudent fiscal management practices.”

View the BLS Data.

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