04/16BLS Data: Wisconsin February Employment Numbers Released; Unemployment Ticks Up to 3.4%

1. News Room

BLS Data: Wisconsin February Employment Numbers Released; Unemployment Ticks Up to 3.4%

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the following information for Wisconsin's labor market, reflecting February 2026 preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Employment - There were 3,019,300 people employed in Wisconsin, up 1,500 over the month and down 11,900 over the year.
• Labor Force - The state's labor force participation rate increased to 64.4% which is 2.4 percentage points above the national rate of 62.0%.
• Nonfarm Jobs - The total nonfarm jobs in the state were 3,019,900, a decrease of 10,500 over last month.
• Unemployment - The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4%, which is 1.0 percentage points below the national unemployment rate of 4.4%

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions - Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.