Dept. of Workforce Development: BLS Data -Wisconsin ranks 11th in nation for average weekly wage growth since 2010

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Madison, Wisconsin – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Ray Allen released the following statement on today’s release of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage Data by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing Wisconsin ranked 11th in the nation in average weekly wage growth since Governor Walker took office:

“With more people employed today in Wisconsin than ever before and an unemployment rate at its lowest point since February 2000, the latest quarterly data also shows six straight years of private sector job growth under Governor Walker’s leadership through 2016,” Secretary Allen said. “It’s important to look at all economic indicators to understand the true picture of Wisconsin’s economy, and the economic indicators overwhelmingly point to stable and steady growth in jobs, wages and the economy over the past six years.”

Other indicators of the state of Wisconsin’s economy include:

The number of people employed in Wisconsin is higher than any other point in the state’s history.

Wisconsin’s labor force participation of 68.6 percent significantly outpaces the national rate of 62.9 percent.

Wisconsin’s total labor force is at an all-time high.

The number of people who are unemployed in April 2017 was the lowest in 17 years.

The most recent monthly data from BLS shows Wisconsin added a significant 14,800 total non-farm jobs from March 2017 to April 2017 and also added a significant 5,100 manufacturing jobs over the same time period.