Unadjusted Data
MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for March was 5.6 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from February’s 5.8 percent and equal to the rate one year ago. The national rate for March was 5.2 percent, same as the February rate, but seven-tenths of a percentage point higher than the March 2007 rate of 4.5 percent.
“Wisconsin’s labor market showed improvement from February with a drop of two-tenths of a percentage point in unemployment rate and an increase of nearly 13,000 in jobs over the month,” Secretary Gassman said. “We are encouraged by these figures as we work to address the challenges and opportunities of today’s economy in a number of areas, including manufacturing.”
From February to March, total Wisconsin non-farm jobs increased by 12,900 to 2,825,100. Private sector jobs grew by 10,000, led by the leisure and hospitality sector with an increase of 2,900, and educational and health services with 1,600 jobs. Goods producers added 2,600 jobs with 2,300 in construction and the remaining 300 in manufacturing. Government jobs were up 2,900, led by local government, which added 2,500.
Over the year, March 2008 showed a decline of 4,900 Wisconsin non-farm jobs. Goods producers were down 14,100, led by a decline in manufacturing of 8,600. Service providers gained 9,200 over the year, led by an increase of 9,600 in educational and health services. Government jobs rose 4,700 over the year. Local government added 7,700 jobs, while state and federal government decreased their employment by 2,600 and 400 jobs respectively.
Adjusted Data
The seasonally adjusted Wisconsin unemployment rate for March 2008 was 4.8 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from February and down two-tenths of a percentage point from March 2007.
Total state employment was up 7,400 from last month, and up 19,900 compared to one year ago.
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WISCONSIN LABOR FORCE SUMMARY
In Thousands
NET CHANGE FROM
PRELIM.
MAR 08 FINAL
FEB 08 YEAR AGO
MAR 07 MONTH
AGO YEAR
AGO
ITEM
PLACE OF RESIDENCE DATA NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE 3085.7 3078.2 3075.9 7.5 9.8
UNEMPLOYMENT 174.1 178.3 170.9 -4.2 3.2
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 5.6 5.8 5.6 -0.2 0.0
EMPLOYMENT (1) 2911.6 2900.0 2905.0 11.6 6.6
PLACE OF WORK DATA
NONFARM WAGE & SALARY 2825.1 2812.2 2830 12.9 -4.9
TOTAL PRIVATE 2397.9 2387.9 2407.5 10.0 -9.6
GOODS PRODUCING 598.1 595.5 612.2 2.6 -14.1
NATURAL RESOURCES & MINING 3 3 3.3 0.0 -0.3
CONSTRUCTION 107.8 105.5 113 2.3 -5.2
MANUFACTURING 487.3 487 495.9 0.3 -8.6
Durable Goods 308.3 308.7 313.5 -0.4 -5.2
Nondurable Goods 179 178.3 182.4 0.7 -3.4
SERVICE PRODUCING 2227 2216.7 2217.8 10.3 9.2
TRADE 423.9 423.3 427.6 0.6 -3.7
Wholesale Trade 120.9 120.8 120 0.1 0.9
Retail Trade 303 302.5 307.6 0.5 -4.6
TRANS., WAREHOUSE, & UTILITIES 109.3 108.5 108.7 0.8 0.6
Utilities 10.8 10.8 11 0.0 -0.2
INFORMATION 49.6 49.6 49.4 0.0 0.2
FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 161.9 161.8 161.5 0.1 0.4
Finance and Insurance 135.1 135 134.2 0.1 0.9
Real Estate, Rental, & Lease 26.8 26.8 27.3 0.0 -0.5
PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES 271 270 269.2 1.0 1.8
Prof., Scien., & Tech. Services 99.1 98.8 98.3 0.3 0.8
Mgmt. Of Companies and Enterprises 43.1 43.1 43.2 0.0 -0.1
Admin. Support & Waste Mgmt. Services 128.8 128.1 127.7 0.7 1.1
EDUCATIONAL & HEALTH SERVICES 406 404.4 396.4 1.6 9.6
Educational Services 51.5 51.2 50.3 0.3 1.2
Health Care & Social Assistance 354.5 353.2 346.1 1.3 8.4
LEISURE & HOSPITALITY 242.2 239.3 246 2.9 -3.8
Arts, Entertain., & Recreation 26.7 26.5 29.5 0.2 -2.8
Accommodation & Food Services 215.5 212.8 216.5 2.7 -1.0
OTHER SERVICES, except Public Admin 135.9 135.5 136.5 0.4 -0.6
GOVERNMENT 427.2 424.3 422.5 2.9 4.7
Federal Government 28.5 28.5 28.9 0.0 -0.4
State Government 104 103.6 106.6 0.4 -2.6
Local Government 294.7 292.2 287 2.5 7.7
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 3106.0 3100.5 3089.3 5.5 16.7
UNEMPLOYMENT 150.3 152.2 153.6 -1.9 -3.3
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 4.8 4.9 5.0 -0.1 -0.2
EMPLOYMENT 2955.7 2948.3 2935.8 7.4 19.9
*Differences in totals may occur as a result of rounding.
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Current Employment Statistics programs, Labor Market Information Section.
