Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wisconsin achieves record high employment

MADISON, Wis. (DEPT. OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEWS RELEASE) - The Department of Workforce Development today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary estimates for May 2024, which showed Wisconsin’s employment hit a record high of 3,048,000 during the month. This is 6,500 more people employed than a year ago.

Preliminary employment estimates for May 2024 showed Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.9%, which is more than a full percentage point below the national unemployment rate of 4.0% in May. The state’s labor force participation rate held steady at 65.6% in May, while the national rate fell to 62.5%.

• Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in May, 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 4.0%. The labor force gained 900 workers over the month for a total of 3,140,500 workers. The number of people employed hit a new high in May, with a total of 3,048,000 employed. DWD last announced a record number of people employed in March 2024.
• Place of Work Data: Total nonfarm jobs decreased 1,500 over the month and increased 28,700 over the year to a total of 3,037,400 jobs. Private sector jobs added 2,300 over the month, hitting a record high 2,630,300 jobs. DWD last announced a private sector nonfarm job record in March 2024.