Wisconsin ranks 2nd nationally in manufacturing jobs added over past year, new data shows

MADISON – The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state-by-state employment and unemployment rankings that show Wisconsin added statistically significant 22,800 manufacturing jobs between September 2017 and September 2018, second highest in the nation. Wisconsin trailed only Texas in the number of manufacturing jobs added.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Ray Allen released the following statement on today's report:

"The latest data show a continuation of very robust growth in the manufacturing sector in Wisconsin," Secretary Allen said. "We have been adding manufacturing jobs at a higher rate than all Midwest states, our labor force participation rate ranks No. 7 in the nation, and our unemployment rate has been at historically low levels for eight consecutive months. The Wisconsin economy is hitting on all cylinders."

Highlights of today's state-by-state rankings include:
• Wisconsin's addition of 22,800 manufacturing jobs from September 2017 to September 2018 ranked 2nd nationally and No. 1 in the Midwest.
• Wisconsin's labor force participation rate of 68.6 percent was the 7th best rate in the country.
• Wisconsin's historically low unemployment rate of 3 percent in September was tied for 10th lowest rate in the nation. The state's unemployment rate has been at or below 3 percent for eight consecutive months for the first time in history.
• Wisconsin ranks 15th nationally and 2nd in the Midwest in number of construction jobs added in the past year.