Wisconsin Job Growth Lags National Average, Federal Survey Shows

A new report shows Wisconsin lagging the national average in job creation.

While a statewide hiring forecast from earlier this week showed some positive signs in terms of future employment prospects, data out Wednesday from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in the period between September 2014 to September 2015, Wisconsin added around 29,000 private-sector jobs.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that number signifies a 1.2 percent increase, good for only 36th out of 50 states. The national rate was 2.2 percent.

Wisconsin’s showing is about on par for its performance in recent years. The state has been hurt by an economy that still has manufacturing as its largest sector.

The data comes from a quarterly census that covers most businesses around the nation, and is regarded as more reliable than monthly data.