Department of Numbers

Wisconsin Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Wisconsin fell 0.2 percentage points in March 2023 to 2.5%. The state unemployment rate was 1.0 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 11.6 percentage points lower. You can also see Wisconsin unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.5% -0.1 -0.1
Wisconsin 2.5% -0.2 -0.3

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

Unemployment Rate: Wisconsin, National

Wisconsin monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 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 356,716 fewer people unemployed in the state. Wisconsin job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Wisconsin 76,550 -6,406 -8,626

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Wisconsin from 1990 to March 2023

Wisconsin Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Wisconsin
Unemployment Rate
Wisconsin
Unemployed
April 2023 3.4%
March 2023 3.5% 2.5% 76,550
February 2023 3.6% 2.7% 82,956
January 2023 3.4% 2.9% 87,962
December 2022 3.5% 3.0% 91,940
November 2022 3.6% 3.0% 92,362
October 2022 3.7% 3.0% 93,458
September 2022 3.5% 3.1% 94,606
August 2022 3.7% 3.1% 94,905
July 2022 3.5% 3.0% 93,534
June 2022 3.6% 2.9% 90,966
May 2022 3.6% 2.9% 88,228