February Unemployment Rates Announced

Unadjusted Data


MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for February was 5.8 percent. The rate last month was three-tenths of a percentage point higher than the January rate of 5.5 percent and it matches the February 2007 rate of 5.8 percent. The national rate was 5.2 percent in February compared to 5.4 percent in January and 4.9 percent in February 2007.


“Seasonal factors again played a role in Wisconsin’s labor market during February, as many industries felt the continued effects of an especially difficult winter,” Secretary Gassman said. “Despite the record setting snowfall for much of the state, Wisconsin’s February unemployment rate was equal to the rate for February 2007.”


Total Wisconsin non-farm jobs increased 4,100 from January 2008 to February 2008, to 2,813,100. Private sector jobs fell over-the-month by 6,100, led by a drop of 1,900 in construction jobs and 1,800 in manufacturing jobs. Government jobs were up 10,200, led by local government, which added 6,100, and state government, which added 4,200, as public schools and universities resumed classes after winter break.


Over the year, February 2008 had an increase of 3,100 jobs over February 2007, which recorded 2,810,000 jobs. Private sector jobs decreased 4,600 over that time period, while government jobs were up 7,700, led by local government, which added 10,300, again as most educational institutions returned from winter breaks. Federal and state government jobs decreased 300 and 2,300 respectively. Goods producers lost 11,300 jobs, led by a decrease in manufacturing of 9,100 for the year, while service producers added a total of 14,400 over the year, led by the educational and health services sector, which added 9,100.


Adjusted Data


The seasonally adjusted Wisconsin unemployment rate for February 2008 was 4.9 percent, unchanged from last month’s final rate, and down two-tenths of a percentage point from February 2007. 


Total state employment was up 16,100 from last month, and up 13,600 compared to one year ago.  


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WISCONSIN LABOR FORCE SUMMARY
In Thousands   
                                       
NET CHANGE FROM
                PRELIM.


FEB  08 FINAL


JAN  08 YEAR AGO


FEB  07 MONTH


AGO     YEAR


AGO    
                ITEM           
                                       
PLACE OF RESIDENCE DATA        
NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES  
  CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE         
3078.5  3056.5  3077.1  22.0    1.4    
  UNEMPLOYMENT         
178.2   167.2   179.2   11.0    -1.0   
  UNEMPLOYMENT RATE            
5.8     5.5     5.8     0.3     0.0    
  EMPLOYMENT (1)               
2900.3  2889.3  2898.0  11.0    2.3    
PLACE OF WORK DATA                                                     
NONFARM WAGE & SALARY          
2813.1  2809    2810    4.1     3.1    
 TOTAL PRIVATE         
2388.6  2394.7  2393.2  -6.1    -4.6   
  GOODS PRODUCING              
596.1   599.8   607.4   -3.7    -11.3  
    NATURAL RESOURCES & MINING         
3       3       3.2     0.0     -0.2   
    CONSTRUCTION               
105.9   107.8   107.9   -1.9    -2.0   
    MANUFACTURING              
487.2   489     496.3   -1.8    -9.1   
      Durable Goods            
308.9   309.2   314.1   -0.3    -5.2   
      Nondurable Goods         
178.3   179.8   182.2   -1.5    -3.9   
  SERVICE PRODUCING            
2217    2209.2  2202.6  7.8     14.4   
    TRADE              
423.2   429.2   425.3   -6.0    -2.1   
      Wholesale Trade          
120.8   120.8   119.7   0.0     1.1    
      Retail Trade             
302.4   308.4   305.6   -6.0    -3.2   
    TRANS., WAREHOUSE, & UTILITIES             
108.6   108.7   108.2   -0.1    0.4    
      Utilities        
10.8    10.8    11.1    0.0     -0.3   
     INFORMATION               
49.7    50      49.5    -0.3    0.2    
     FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES              
161.7   161.8   161.9   -0.1    -0.2   
      Finance and Insurance            
134.9   135     134.7   -0.1    0.2    
      Real Estate, Rental, & Lease             
26.8    26.8    27.2    0.0     -0.4   
    PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES           
269.6   268.9   267.2   0.7     2.4    
      Prof., Scien., & Tech. Services          
98.8    97.8    98.2    1.0     0.6    
      Mgmt. Of Companies and Enterprises               
43.2    43.2    43      0.0     0.2    
      Admin. Support & Waste Mgmt. Services            
127.6   127.9   126     -0.3    1.6    
    EDUCATIONAL & HEALTH SERVICES              
404.5   400.6   395.4   3.9     9.1    
      Educational Services             
51.3    48.3    49.9    3.0     1.4    
      Health Care & Social Assistance          
353.2   352.3   345.5   0.9     7.7    
    LEISURE & HOSPITALITY              
239.7   240.8   242.8   -1.1    -3.1   
      Arts, Entertain., & Recreation           
26.7    26.8    29.2    -0.1    -2.5   
      Accommodation & Food Services            
213     214     213.6   -1.0    -0.6   
    OTHER SERVICES, except Public Admin        
135.5   134.9   135.5   0.6     0.0    
    GOVERNMENT         
424.5   414.3   416.8   10.2    7.7    
      Federal Government               
28.6    28.7    28.9    -0.1    -0.3   
      State Government         
103.6   99.4    105.9   4.2     -2.3   
      Local Government         
292.3   286.2   282     6.1     10.3   
                                                       
  PERSONS INVOLVED IN L-M DISPUTES             
0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0    
  (1) Includes L-M Disputes                                                    
                SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES      
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE           
3100.8  3083.5  3093.1  17.3    7.7    
  UNEMPLOYMENT                 
152.1   150.9   158.0   1.2     -5.9   
      UNEMPLOYMENT RATE                
4.9     4.9     5.1     0.0     -0.2   
  EMPLOYMENT           
2948.7  2932.6  2935.1  16.1    13.6   
*Differences in totals may occur as a result of rounding.