United States Employment Snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 21.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in North Dakota and South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 42 states and fell in 9. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.9 percent in Idaho. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Minnesota.
Wisconsin Employment Snapshot
In May, Wisconsin lost 1,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.9 percent. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 4,500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Wisconsin added 28,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Wisconsin’s private sector added 2,300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 25,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 5,100 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Wisconsin rose by 134, and over the past 12 months it rose by 6,527.
Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 65.6 percent in May and is tied for 11th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.3 percentage points.
Wisconsin Payroll Employment
Wisconsin lost 1,500 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 4,500 jobs. Wisconsin nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Wisconsin added 2,300 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 5,100 jobs. Wisconsin private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 229,000 jobs in May, or 0.2 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 38th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during May were Leisure and Hospitality (3,400) and Professional and Business Services (1,000).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Construction (-1,500) and Government (-3,800).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (12,200) and Leisure and Hospitality (6,900).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Financial Activities (-500) and Professional and Business Services (-3,400).
Wisconsin Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Wisconsin remained unchanged at 65.6 percent in May.
Wisconsin is tied for 11th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Wisconsin was 68.2 percent occurring in August 2017, and the 10-year low was 65.2 percent occurring in November 2022.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.5 percent in May.