DWD: January jobs and unemployment rates announced

CONTACT: John Dipko, Communications Director, 608-266-6753

On the web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2010/100311_jan_jobs_unemployment_rates_announced.pdf

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today that Wisconsin added jobs (seasonally adjusted) for the first time since October 2009.

“We are hopeful that we have seen a bottoming of the labor market in Wisconsin, and are seeing signs of economic recovery,” Secretary Gassman said. “Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remains below the national average in this mid-winter period when rates are typically highest. Even so, many hardworking Wisconsin families continue to bear the brunt of the national recession. We are working hard to help people return to work and grow the economy.”

Current employment statistics – seasonally adjusted – show Wisconsin experienced a net gain of 5,600 jobs in January 2010. The largest gains were in manufacturing, administrative and support services, and health care. A net gain in jobs occurred in only five other months in Wisconsin since the national recession began in December 2007.

The January 2010 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Wisconsin was 8.7 percent, up slightly from the December rate of 8.5 percent. The January 2009 rate was 7.1 percent. The national seasonally adjusted January 2010 rate was 9.7 percent, down slightly from 10.0 percent in December. The U.S. January 2009 rate was 7.7 percent.

The state unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) for January 2010 was 9.6 percent, up from 8.3 percent in December. The January 2009 rate was 7.7 percent. The national rate for January was 10.6 percent, up from 9.7 percent in December. The U.S. January 2009 rate was 8.5 percent. Unemployment rate increases (not seasonally adjusted) in January are common in Wisconsin and other northern states, given seasonal factors.

The January 2010 decrease in jobs (not seasonally adjusted) is less than the typical decrease during the month of January. From December 2009 to January 2010, total Wisconsin non-farm jobs – not seasonally adjusted – decreased by an estimated 71,700 to 2,641,200. The typical decrease during the month of January is about 80,000 jobs. Job decreases (not seasonally adjusted) in January are also common in Wisconsin and other northern states, due to seasonal factors.