CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revisions for May and preliminary estimates for June, covering unemployment and employment statistics for the state of Wisconsin. In brief, the estimates showed:
Place of work data: A preliminary gain in total nonfarm jobs by 17,500 and private sector jobs by 13,800 from May to June.
Place of residence data: A preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.8 percent in June, down from 7.0 percent in May. The rate is below the national unemployment rate of 7.6 percent.
Comparison to latest available actual job counts: Wisconsin ranked 21st in total private sector jobs created from December 2011 to December 2012 with a gain of 32,282. Wisconsin’s two-year gain of 62,072 private sector jobs follows the loss of 134,000 jobs during the previous four years.
DWD Secretary Reggie Newson issued the following statement on the preliminary CES totals for June 2013:
“Our labor market economists note the seasonally adjusted total nonfarm job gain from May to June of 17,500 is the largest month-to-month gain for any month since April 1992, and the seasonally adjusted private job gain from May to June of 13,800 is the largest month-to-month gain for any month since September 2003,” Secretary Newson said. “As we’ve said time and again, however, we urge the public to look at all economic indicators, including actual job counts that show Wisconsin added over 62,000 private sector jobs in 2011-12 following the loss of 134,000 private sector jobs during the previous four years. These economic indicators point to a trajectory of economic growth in Wisconsin under Governor Walker’s leadership, and we must do everything we can to maintain this positive momentum.”
The BLS monthly place of work data is based on a monthly survey of approximately 5,500 Wisconsin employers (3.5 percent), called the Current Employment Statistics (CES). BLS monthly place of residence data, based on Unemployment Insurance claims and a monthly survey of 1,450 Wisconsin households (0.1 percent), are called the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
The most accurate count of jobs data, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), is based on a census of approximately 95-96 percent of Wisconsin employers. Key highlights of the actual job counts for 2011-12 include:
After losing 134,000 jobs, Wisconsin gained over 62,000 private sector jobs in the last two years. The private sector job gains under Governor Walker are the best two-year gains under any Governor in over a decade.
Wisconsin ranked 21st in total private sector jobs created from December 2011 to 2012 with a gain of 32,282. Wisconsin’s total private sector job gain outpaces Iowa, and jumped 11 spots in percentage of private sector job growth to 33rd highest at 1.4 percent, higher than neighboring Illinois. Wisconsin ranked 21st in total job gains with a jump of 31,902 from December 2011 to 2012, outpacing Iowa, and ranked 31st highest in percentage of total job gains at 1.2 percent. Wisconsin ranked 12th in weekly wage growth over the year, which is second highest in the Midwest. Wages by private employers grew by 6.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, up to $26 billion from $24.5 billion.
Wisconsin created more manufacturing jobs in the last two years than in either of the last two Governors’ terms.
In 2012, Wisconsin had the largest growth in construction jobs in over a decade.
Other indicators that help illustrate the state of Wisconsin’s economy include:
* Department of Revenue state revenue collections through June: up by 4.4 percent in fiscal year 2013.
* Department of Financial Institutions new business formation: up 2.9 percent through June compared to the first six months of 2012.
* A decline this calendar year in initial and weekly DWD Unemployment Insurance claims.
* Wisconsin’s exports set a record in calendar year 2012.
* Equity investment in Wisconsin rose to 14th in the nation.
* Wisconsin housing permits are 5 percent above 2012 permits.
