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.