BLS Data: Wisconsin August Employment Numbers Released; Unemployment Ticks Down to 3.2%
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the following information for Wisconsin’s labor market, reflecting August 2026 preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Employment – There were 3,046,200 people employed in Wisconsin, up 9,300 over the month and up 36,900 over the year.
- Labor Force – The state’s labor force participation increased to 64.7% which is 3.1 percentage points above the national rate of 61.6%.
- Nonfarm Jobs – The total nonfarm jobs in the state were 3,057,300, an increase of 11,800 over last month.
- Unemployment – The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down to 3.2%, which is 0.9 percentage points below the national unemployment rate of 4.1%
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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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