Report: Wisconsin Ranked 35th In Private-Sector Job Growth During Walker’s First Term

Wisconsin ranked 35th in the nation in private-sector job growth during Gov. Scott Walker’s first four years in office, according to detailed numbers released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data show Wisconsin also ranked last among 10 Midwest states. Private-sector jobs grew here at a rate of 5.7 percent the past four years compared to 9.4 percent at the national level.

These numbers also show Wisconsin ranked 38th in private-sector job growth in 2014. With 1.5 percent growth, it was Wisconsin’s best year since Walker took office, but it still trailed most Midwest states and the national growth rate of 2.6 percent.

These figures also confirm that Wisconsin created a total of 129,154 private-sector jobs during Walker’s first term — well short of Walker’s 250,000 job goal.

The governor rarely discusses his jobs pledge anymore, focusing instead on Wisconsin’s unemployment rate, which has returned to its pre-recession low.

Economists regard the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages as the “gold standard” of job numbers. It’s by far the most comprehensive job count, which is why the report takes so long for the BLS to produce.

Private-Sector Job Growth In Midwestern States, Dec. 2010-Dec. 2014

Data from Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages