Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Press Release

BLS Data: Wisconsin April Employment Numbers Released; Unemployment Holds Steady at 3.5%

 

By - May 21st, 2026 12:01 pm

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the following information for Wisconsin’s labor market, reflecting April 2026 preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Employment – There were 3,020,100 people employed in Wisconsin, up 400 over
    the month and down 2,900 over the year.
  • Labor Force – The state’s labor force participation rate remained unchanged at
    64.4% which is 2.6 percentage points above the national rate of 61.8%.
  • Nonfarm Jobs – The total nonfarm jobs in the state were 3,028,800, an increase of
    9,000 over last month.
  • Unemployment – The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained
    unchanged at 3.5%, which is 0.8 percentage points below the national
    unemployment rate of 4.3%

View Labor Force PDF

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin’s diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker’s Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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