January 2025
Released March 17, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In January, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 9, rose in 19, and remained unchanged in 23.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In January, payroll jobs rose in 31 states and fell in 19. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Dakota. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Georgia.
Wisconsin Employment Snapshot
In January, Wisconsin added 5,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.2 percent. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Wisconsin added 20,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points from 2.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin ranks 34th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Wisconsin’s private sector added 100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 13,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 4,400 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Wisconsin fell by 3,844, and over the past 12 months it rose by 10,116.
Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 65.9 percent in January and ranks 11th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has remained unchanged.
Wisconsin Payroll Employment
Wisconsin added 5,700 net payroll jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 500 jobs. Wisconsin nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin ranks 34th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Wisconsin added 100 private sector jobs, or 0 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 4,400 jobs. Wisconsin private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 34th 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 January were Government (5,600) and Education and Health Services (1,200).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-900) and Professional and Business Services (-1,900).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (8,300) and Government (7,400).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Financial Activities (-1,500) and Manufacturing (-8,100).
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 65.9 percent in January.
Wisconsin ranks 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 65.3 percent occurring in November 2022.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.