Wisconsin Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Wisconsin rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 3.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Wisconsin peaked in April 2020 at 14.1% and is now 10.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.4% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.8 percentage points. You can also see Wisconsin unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
Wisconsin	3.2%	+0.1	+0.2

Note: All comparisons are made with October data as November state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Wisconsin, National

Wisconsin monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Wisconsin Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Wisconsin peaked in April 2020 at 433,266. There are now 331,261 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 72,950 in April 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 29,055. Wisconsin job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Wisconsin	102,005	+5,367	+8,547

Number of Unemployed Persons